På Storfele – Sven Nyhus

French alto, German bratsche, Swedish altfiol

The viola is the string family’s alto voice, and until recently, lived somewhat in the shadow of the violin and cello, but gradually assumed a stronger position as a solo instrument. The instrument has a dark, warm tone, and thus touches of the dignity that lies in the characterization "queen of string instruments." The viola is probably rather unknown in the context of folk music, but it is presented on these recordings both as a solo- and improvisation instrument.

You will find old Røros rollers, pols and reinlenders played like the violin, the viola but gives them a type of "big fiddle"-touch. The timbral breadth of recordings is further emphasized by improvised during votes, and the sonority with harp provides some association of baroque sound.