Manx-Norwegian Musical Collaboration at the Erin Arts Centre

Earlier this year Manx singer Ruth Keggin and local fiddle player Tom Callister travelled to picturesque Western Norway as part of a musical collaboration with Norwegian singer Margit Myhr and hardanger fiddle player Erlend Apneseth. But during November these talented Norwegian musicians will be travelling to the Island to work with their Manx counterparts, providing a unique opportunity to hear the distinctive sound of traditional Norwegian music hand in hand with Manx melodies and songs at the Erin Arts Centre in Port Erin.

Erlend Apneseth is one of the top young hardanger fiddle players in Norway, and  after performing folk music in competitions and concerts for many years  has now established himself within the contemporary/improvisational music scene, collaborating with dancers, musicians and poets. He received the Grappa débutante award in 2012 and  released his début album during the autumn of 2013.

Margit Myhr has been a multi-talented musician, singer and dancer from an early age, and along with the hardanger fiddle plays the traditional langeleik. Hailing from Hallingdal (where both the hardanger fiddle and langeleik are popular instruments) Margit is now an established musician in Norway after many years playing in concerts, projects and competitions.

They will be joined by  Ruth Keggin, Tom Callister and multi-instrumentalist David Kilgallon in concert at the Erin Arts Centre at 8.00pm on the 9th November, presenting an evening of Norwegian, Manx and collaborative material.

Supported by Culture Vannin (Manx Heritage Foundation), Margit and Erlend will also be offering free workshops at the House of Manannan in Peel on the same day:-

11.00am – Noon  Norwegian fiddle (suitable for intermediate/advanced players)
Noon – 1.00pm  Norwegian song (suitable for all)

Places at the workshops need to be reserved in advance by contacting Breesha Maddrell at mhfmusic@mhf.org.im or by phoning 695784.

Tickets for the concert, priced at £10, are available from the Erin Arts Centre, or from Breesha Maddrell.

Valerie Caine © October 2013

(Courtesy of Manx Tails)