B3. Fiddling and diddling

B3. Fiddling and diddling
a) Slängpolska (1'20) Axel Sjölander, fiddle, Tingsryd, Småland
b) Sexling, “engelska” (1'57) Helge Andersson, fiddle, Svarteborg, Bohuslän
c) Polska after Sven Larsson, Duvberg (1'25) Fritiof Mesch, fiddle, Linsell, Härjedalen
d) Lapp Nils-polska after Munter Johan (1'15) Måns Olsson, diddling, Mattmar, Jämtland
e) Liv-Ante’s polska (2'30) Eric Öst and Theodor Olsson, fiddle, Hälsingland

Here four fiddlers of an older vintage and from different parts of Sweden present tunes typical of their native areas. The careful listener may well be able to distinguish between their different styles. Tune 3 b is a version of the internationally widespread melody “Soldier’s Joy” from the west-coast county of Bohuslän. Eric Öst and Theodor Olsson (3 e), from the northeastern county of Hälsingland, have played regularly through the years at “Skansen” in Stockholm and have also appeared many times on TV and radio. They represent a school of fiddling which regards virtuosity as a virtue. A “fiddler without a fiddle”, one who performs dance tunes by rhythmically singing various syllables, can be heard on 3 d.