Polar night and midnight sun — in music

A rare chance to hear a Norwegian supergroup fusing traditional music and contemporary evocations of the north: Benedicte Maurseth, Morten Qvenild, Mats Eilertsen and Håkon Stene.

Hardanger fiddle is the soul of traditional Norwegian music.  Originally a seventeenth-century instrument, similarly sized to the violin, it has eight strings, four of which are ‘sympathetic’, creating extra resonance and possibilities for chordal playing.  Benedicte Maurseth is the hardanger fiddle’s great contemporary player. She’s steeped in folkloric traditions, and a distinguished composer, recently commissioned by Kronos Quartet among others.  This performance celebrates her new album, Mirra, created in amazing musical company, with Morten Qvenild, Mats Eilertsen and Håkon Stene. Inspired by the country of her childhood — way up north in the Norwegian mountains and higher still onto the plateaus — sounds and survival patterns of reindeer have been central to Benedicte’s haunting new music, wrapped around age-old traditional tunes.

This performance is made possible with the support of Bundanon, Music Norway, Arts Council Norway and The Audio and Visual Fund.

Presented by Sydney Opera House

Benedicte Maurseth
hardanger fiddle

Morten Qvenild
piano

Mats Eilertsen
bass

Håkon Stene
percussion