Historic Nordic Wooden Instruments
Monday, October 13, 2025, 7:00 p.m.
Northland College Auditorium, 1101 Hwy 1 East, Thief River Falls, MN
Carol Thompson from Maddock, ND has made a number of historic wooden Nordic instruments, including a Psalmodican, Langeleik, Finnish Kantele, Lur, Kuhorn , Mountain Dulcimer, Swedish Nyckelharpa, and Bowed Psaltery, which is not Scandinavian but a more recent type of psaltery or zither that is played with a bow in contrast to being plucked. Thompson will give a presentation on these instruments, their history, the thought process behind the construction, and each instrument’s sounds and songs. Robert “Bud” Larsen, Hardanger fiddle maker from Brainerd, MN, will explain the history and concept of the Hardanger fiddle and the process of making or repairing one. Aubrey Connett, recent graduate of St. Olar who studied the Hardanger fiddle, will not only play several tunes but will explain the many differences in how this fiddle is played compared to a traditional violin. She will demonstrate on both the Hardanger and violin so the audience can see and hear these differences. FREEWILL DONATION.
For additional information on any of the above, contact: [email protected]