ALVDALENS SPELMANSLAG
The folk music tradition in Älvdalen, Sweden goes
back many years. We have names and music from musicians as far
back as the 17th century. Fiddlers often played alone, sometimes
in twos, but seldom in large groups. Musicians were employed
to play at weddings, midsummer festivities, birthday celebrations
and dances.
It was a coincidence that Älvdalens Spelmanslag
was formed at all. In September 1971, a local radio station decided
that they wanted to broadcast a program about Älvdalen's
music and musicians. Ragnar Forslund made some phone calls and
managed to gather nine local musicians together. The recording
went so well that it was decided that a more permanent folk group
should be formed.
The older musicians became the
core of Älvdalens Spelmanslag. They met regularly for rehearsals
every week to learn each other's tunes and compose harmonies.
They also put together a repertoire that could be used on the
occasions the group were called on to play.
Ragnar Forslund has always been
the driving force of the group. He has been focused on convincing
younger members to join. Recently, Ragnar has decided to step
down as chairman, but still continues to encourage the group
with his wide knowledge and love for music. When Ragnar stepped
down as chairman, Björn Gyris replaced him. Björn comes
from a musical family and is the second chairman in the group's
history.
During the group's 35-year history, they have been a
natural element of entertainment at local festivities. The group
has completed several tours, often traveling to perform in Norway.
Today, there are between 30 and 40 musicians in the
group. Many of these live outside Älvdalen. During the winter
a group of 15 musicians gather every Monday to practice, learn
new tunes and share each other's experiences. During the summer,
when many are back in Älvdalen, the group swells to over
30.
Being a member of Älvdalens Spelmanslag not only
means making friends for life and giving pleasure to countless
listeners and dancers, it also means that you help nourish and
develop the special form of music that the Älvdalen tunes
represent.
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