The public is invited to the Pope County Museum in Glenwood on Sunday, November 17 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. for a Holiday Open House featuring a Lecture-Concert: Revitalizing Norwegian Fiddling and Fiddle-Building in Minnesota.

Rinita Dalan and Gus Dalan Holley of Moorhead, Minn., will present a lecture-concert on Norwegian hardanger fiddling in the Red River Valley. 

Learn about the differences between a hardanger fiddle and a violin, the history of hardanger fiddle building and playing in the region, and a contemporary apprenticeship program for building hardanger fiddles that is ringing in a new era for Norwegian American fiddling in Minnesota. 

The lecture includes fiddle tunes from Vest-Agder in Southern Norway, played on four hardanger fiddles ranging in age from centuries old to brand new. 

The performance replicates a traditional dance evening in 19th century Vest-Agder, with the fiddle progressively tuned higher and higher until it reaches the magical “troll tuning” in the small hours of the morning. 

Rinita and Gus are part of a fiddle-building project celebrating the 200-year anniversary of Norwegian immigration to North America. They have studied fiddles around the region including two in the Pope County Museum collection. 

Part of the tradition of Hardanger fiddles is building your own instrument. The fiddles become tailored to the player/maker and often have an individual “signature” unique to each maker. 

As part of this event, Rinita and Gus will talk about their woodworking experience of making a fiddle as well as playing traditional tunes.

Be sure to join us on Sunday, November 17, at the Pope County Museum to learn more.