From the heartlands of Hälsingland emerges the haunting legacy of Hultkläppen, one of Sweden’s most enigmatic and masterful fiddlers. THOMAS VON WACHENFELDT, a classically trained violinist, composer, and renowned traditional Swedish musician, has ventured into the depths of history to resurrect timeless tunes.

Den Vanfrejdade – Hultkläppens låtar och leverne is a biographical journey spanning the life and legacy of Hultkläppen (1834-1898). Comprising every known tune attributed to the legendary infamous fiddler, this double-CD album is the culmination of twenty years of meticulous research by Wachenfeldt, who is also a PhD researcher and an Associate Professor at Dalarna University and Uppsala University. The album is accompanied by a 132-page book, offering an in-depth exploration of Hultkläppen’s life and music.

Each track pulses with the spirit of the Nordic wilderness, capturing the essence of traditional Swedish folk fiddle music. From the mournful strains of ‘När Hultkläppen spelade hustrun till graven’ to the jubilant refrains of ‘Hultkläppens brännvinspolska’, Wachenfeldt’s masterful interpretations breathe life into melodies passed down through generations. The music, steeped in the lore and landscape of Hälsingland, offers a passage through time, evoking the same woodland magic that inspired Hultkläppen himself.

THOMAS VON WACHENFELDT is a nationally recognised fiddler and touring artist who has performed and lectured throughout Sweden, England, France, the USA, Finland, and Iceland. Thomas is also active with his death metal bands Wachenfeldt and Wombbath. He has collaborated with a number of notable acts – such as Entombed, for whom he arranged Clandestine for a symphony orchestra. Other artists he has worked with include Grave, Hulkoff, and Ereb Altor.

THOMAS VON WACHENFELDT commented:
Ever since I first encountered the wondrous power of Hultkläppen’s music during an ensemble lesson in high school, he has continued to follow me day and night. When I first came into contact with Hultkläppen’s music through his ‘A-mollpolska’, my musical world consisted of Scandinavian black and death metal. However, Hultkläppen’s music was more metal than metal itself, and I expanded my instrumentarium with a violin and chose to do my special project on Hultkläppen during my final year of high school. This also sparked my interest in research. The more facts I found about Hultkläppen, the more fascinated I became by him and his music. Without a doubt, he was Hälsingland’s first true metalhead with a well-grounded ‘fuck you’ attitude towards authorities and hypocrisy.

Without Hultkläppen, I’d probably not have delved into either Swedish folk music or, subsequently, classical music or research, which are now my main sources of income. Therefore, it feels fitting that after nearly 30 years of research into Hultkläppen’s songs and life, I can make a concluding statement and give back what I owe him. Naturally, it feels perfect to release this record and offer the Nordvis family and others an opportunity to experience genuine traditional music from Hälsingland by one of Scandinavia’s most skilled and mythical fiddlers.

So, dear Hultkläppen, happy 190th birthday and endless thanks for all the musical thrills!”

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THOMAS VON WACHENFELDT Online:
Nordvis Produktion Site
Bandcamp
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