Vårvindar Friska

Here are two musicians who discovered some sort of magic potion in a cellar in Stockholm when they played two instruments that aren't often heard together because they have such different repertoire, background and technique. Olav Luksengård Mjelva is one of Norway's most in-demand Hardanger fiddle players, well-known for his solo performances and as a member of SVER and Nordic Fiddlers Bloc. Erik Rydvall is a thrilling Swedish nyckelharpa (keyed fiddle) player.

Such is the chemistry between Mjelva and Rydvall, though, that they were determined to find a way of making music that would unearth another side to instruments that represent separate traditions. Hard work, determination and a bit of magic revealed something quite wonderful: an exquisitely crafted space where textures, colours and traditions are an invitation to dance. There's plenty of variety too in this mixture of their own compositions and arrangements of traditional tunes: the quirky Swedish polska ‘Storsvarten’ for example, and the arresting Norwegian springar dance ‘Klunkelåtten’.

Overall, 25 strings create this intriguing, addictive music, and these two musicians believe in the instruments and in music itself. The dedication to listen, discover and learn new techniques has resulted in something very special: magical even.