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Swedish Folk Music Treasures:

Styrbjörn Bergelt

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Reviews at bottom of page.

60 second trailer:

This fourth volume in my Treasures series focuses on Styrbjörn Bergelt, a Swedish folk musician who lived from 1939 to 2006. Styrbjörn graciously invites the viewer to come along on a journey among the roots of early Nordic music via his silverbasharpa, spilopipa, tagelharpa, and videflöjt—-instruments that held Styrbjörn's fascination all his adult life. He was interested not just in the music itself, but also in the culture that nurtured it, and the natural exchange of music between regions and peoples. He was the 1997 recipient of the Zorn Gold Medal, the highest honor accorded a Swedish folk musician.

I have just finished watching the DVD about Styrbjörn Bergelt and I have to tell you that it is a wonderful work about a incredible man. I wish I could have met him, but since that is not possible for me or future generations, it is a saving grace that you have captured him and his work for people to still learn from. ... How very insightful of you to save this music before the older generation can no longer give it to the younger.

—Ken Koons, Maryland, USA

Styrbjörnfilmen är så bra den överhuvudtaget KAN vara ... Verkligen upplyftande! Verkligen exakt så som man kunde önska sig att filmen skulle vara!!!

—Gunnar Fredelius, Stockholm, Sweden

The Styrbjörn film is as excellent as it possibly CAN be ... Really uplifting! The film is exactly as one might have wished it to be!!!

—Gunnar Fredelius, Stockholm, Sweden

I want to thank you boundlessly for this treasure that you have materialized in my mailbox. ... First reaction, immediate: One could learn to play silverbasharpa from this film. Second reaction, after a few tunes: One could want to learn to play silverbasharpa from this film! I've heard others play gammalharpor without being inspired to anything more than intellectual interest. But his playing ... I believe Judy and I heard Styrbjörn and Anders Eklundh at a spelmansstämma somewhere (probably Gamla Linköping), with that same rhythmic energy and irresistibility. Then I watched the conclusion. What a sweetheart he was. And what a fine thing you've done to keep him with us. Thank you!

—Matt Fichtenbaum, Massachusetts, USA

I think it's the best one yet! What a lot of wonderful information, along with the tunes! I was hoping you'd ask him about his bow-hold ... very typical for any gammelharpa player, but quite different from ours. What a loss to the music community! So many interests, so much talent. I want a stråk-harpa ...

—Sheila Morris, Colorado, USA

Styrbjoörn Berget