When I made the album ?Vålje å vrake? a few years ago I thought it would be the end of several years? work during which I had immersed myself in the Ångermanland song tradition. I thought I had an idea of what there was and that I had presented a personal selection. However, when people started to get in touch in response to the record, with tips on where I could look further, sending manuscripts by post, and passing on their own songs ? the idea of follow-up was born.
It is not a case of a repertoire being collected with lots of songs by one and the same bearer of the tradition, but more a puzzle where I have taken the time to find individual pieces and fit them into the picture.
I have many sources but I would like to mention two in particular.
Frans Bergvall (1903-1995) from Gideåberg, was an elementary-school teacher who became an honorary doctor for his comprehensive research into the stories, dialects and popular names for flora of Edsele parish. In addition to all this he also collected songs through both recording and transcription. Although he was a researcher, Frans Bergvall was part of the community where the songs and stories were. He also called on those singers who only had a few songs to pass on, taking plenty of time to converse and listen, and in many cases returned several times. For this reason his recordings are wide-ranging, comprehensive and particularly exciting to listen to Karin Sikström (1899-1981) is probably absolutely the most important bearer of the tradition in the county, with her extensive repertoire and her ancient style of singing.
Another image of Karin has also transpired through the tapes of recordings in her home, that her daughter, Carina, has let me listen to. There it is clearly evident that, in addition to the delicate songs from her grandmother, the music also included much livelier, more modern strains, and a joy of playing that you could almost touch!
These songs and tunes have a very special place in my heart. I hope they will be sung, and spread and will live on!
Ulrika Bodén |
