The Hardanger Fiddle has its roots in 17th century Western Norway, but its origins are somewhat disputed. It has certainly been greatly influenced by the earliest violins which arrived in the country during the 1620-30s with soldiers returning from the 30 Years War. But there were also various other types of stringed instruments in Norway before both the violin and Hardanger fiddle and which may have had an influence on both of them.
During the process of Norway’s liberation from Sweden in the 19th century, the Hardingfele was held up by intellectuals and musicians as one of many expressions of national culture. The Telemark model was particularly popular with its sumptuous decoration and Lion of Norway head on the scroll above the pegbox. The name, Hardingfele (actually, Hardangerfele) was first rendered in written form in 1840. Concerts given by players of the Hardanger Fiddle were very successful all around the country and the violin variant spread over large parts of Southern Norway. In certain areas, regular violins were completely replaced by the Hardingfele. To unite the people of Norway in its presentation to the outside world, its origins and character were important concepts in the process of nation-building. Its association with the mountainous districts – areas containing a great majority of freeholders – also fitted like a glove with the emerging national self-image.
The Hardanger Fiddle has been promoted in a variety of contexts as being “typically Norwegian”. However, it is an instrument with its roots in European, Arabic and Indian traditions. Historically, it was used by a limited segment of the population in the mountainous districts of Southern Norway. Is this instrument able to represent and unite the whole of Norway anyway?
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