Knut Aastad Bråten

& Ole Aastad Bråten

'Many of Grieg's folk tunes received a facelift just here – at Troldhaugen. We are looking forward to breathing new life into the old tunes, because in many ways they too belong here.'

These words were written by twin brothers Knut and Ole Aastad Bråten, who in recent times have been instrumental in reviving the langeleik tradition in Norway.

After receiving basic instruction from their uncle Jørgen in their teens, the brothers entered on an immersive journey into the world of the langeleik, visiting living players, both male and female, and earthing out old recordings. With sisters Oddrun and Gunvor Hegge as their principal teachers, they became versatile representatives on the folk music scene. Altogether they have won the Landskappleik – the national folk dance and music competition – 12 times, and both brothers have won the king's trophy.

At this Bergen International Festival concert they carry further forward the strong narrative tradition of folk music, along with traditional langeleik material from Valdres in the categories: springar, klokkelåt, halling and waltz. All of this in Grieg's own parlour.

'Grieg's contribution to folk music has been underestimated by many. Even though he used the music as inspiration for his own compositions, his interest for folk music also resulted in increased attention and elevated the status of folk music and folk dancing,' the brothers write.

Photo: Ingvil Skeie Ljones

Information

​Knut Aastad Bråten & Ole Aastad Bråten are also involved in Vetra alongside Artist in residence Ragnhild Hemsing Monday 27 May.

Contributors

• ​Knut ​Aastad Bråten, Ole Aastad Bråten langeleik

Music by

• Trad.​

Works

• Trad. after Olav Snortheim
  Tusselåtten
  

• Trad.  after Elisabeth Kværne
  Førnesbronen
  
  

• Trad. after Guri Hegge
  Springar
  

• Trad.
  I Oletjedn, i Olekinn
  

• Trad. after Ragnhild Olsdatter Viken
  Sløngevippa
  Trekrøssdans
  

• Trad. after Ola Grihamar
  Legdekallen
  

• Trad. after Ola Brenno
  Langeberglåtten
  

• Trad. after Guri Hegge
  Prim i dullare
  

• Trad. after Gunnlaug Lien Myhr
  Riddarvise
  

• Trad. after Eivind Groven
  Sommarmorgon
  

• Trad. after Ragna Brenno Frydenberg
  Sant Tomas-klokkelåtten
  

• Trad. after Gunnlaug Lien Myhr
  Kjærleiksvise

Supported by

​The Savings Bank Foundation DNB – Dextra Musica