The long list of famed fiddlers from previous centuries is dominated by men. Despite the fact that female fiddlers were in the minority, there have been exceptions to the rule, among other places in Nordfjord and Sunnmøre on Norway’s west coast. In her concert performance and CD “Taus” Spellemann prize-winner Sigrid Moldestad presents forgotten stories of women in folk music. The recording offers fresh interpretations of traditional music as well as newly written songs by Moldestad, including the song “Samuline” which has become a national radio hit described as “one of the most powerful songs of the year”.

“I hope that ‘Taus’ can be a reminder that there are still many parts of the world where there are few opportunities for women,” says Moldestad.

300 years ago a group of women from windswept hamlets in Nordfjord and Sunnmøre broke loose from daily chores and established a unique musical tradition. These spirited fiddlers were met with enthusiasm and respect throughout the district.

They wanted to play. Had to play. Their music was meant to fill the hot, steamy dance halls, the sound of the fiddle was meant to ring out and fill the hall, going straight to the heart of everybody present. And so they played. They married. Had children. Played more. Had more children. And played. Right up until they were brought to silence by growing pietism and colourless narrow-mindedness.

200 years later, Sigrid Moldestad grew up in Breim in Nordfjord together with the “Honndal girls” (Honndalstausene), a group of female fiddlers. The fiddle is back in the hands of the women of Nordfjord, and Sigrid Moldestad often hears stories of Samuline Seljeset and other women who left their homestead on horseback to go off and play fiddle.

TAUS is about lively women who would not let themselves be subdues, who allowed music to become a part of their lives which otherwise consisted of work, duties, neediness and poverty. It is about dark-minded men of power who saw their instrument, music and lust for life as a threat.

Performed by:
Sigrid Moldestad: fiddle, Hardanger fiddle, voice
Sigbjørn Apeland: harmonium
Anders Hall: viola, fiddle, Hardanger fiddle
Jørgen Sandvik: guitar, banjo, mandolin