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HANCOCK — It’s been played by folk musicians for more than 600 years, but the nyckelharpa isn’t an instrument that’s a regular part of the music scene in the Copper Country.
Until now.
Minnesota-based musicians Jaana Tuttila and Cheryl Paschke, both members of the Finn Hall Band, will perform a variety of tunes on the nyckelharpa – which is actually Sweden’s national instrument – at a 7 p.m. concert Friday, January 29 at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Hancock.
The nyckelharpa or “key fiddle,” has strings similar to a violin’s, which produce tones by the drawing action of a bow. Evidence suggests the first nyckelharpas may have arrived from Germany as early as the 14th century. Both Tuttila and Paschke have played the instrument for a number of years, in both solo performances and as part of the Finn Hall Band as a whole.
Tuttila and her husband Ralph are this year’s Heikinpäivä artists-in-residence, and will be spending the week prior to Heikinpäivä’s January 30 culmination. During this time, they’ll offer folk music instruction — as well as dance lessons on Wednesday, January 27. They’re also planning to make visits to area schools to introduce the next generation to the folk music traditions.
For more information about the concert, or any aspect of Heikinpäivä, call (906) 487-7549 or find Heikinpäivä on Facebook.
