The Strings of The Soul : Encounters Between the Russian Balalaika and the Swedish Keyed Fiddle

Sammanfattning: "The strings of the soul” is a master thesis which explores questions about tradition, itsexpression in music and especially folk music. It illuminates some differences betweentraditional and folk music. It explores Russian and Swedish folk music traditions, comparingboth of the traditions and identifying differences and similarities.The instruments that are used in the project are the Russian balalaika and the Swedish keyedfiddle (nyckelharpa).To implement those ideas in the research and enable these encounters I got in contact withmusicians playing the keyed fiddle. Under the tutorial I got some knowledge in keyed fiddleplaying techniques, its character and uniqueness. I participated in several playing sessions andgot an opportunity to experience Swedish folk music.The aim of this project is to seek a better understanding both of my “native” tradition ofRussian music, as well as of Swedish folk music, by exploring Swedish folk music throughthe performance practices of the balalaika. Hereby I wish to better understand theperformance practice of the Russian balalaika tradition, by using the instrument inperformance of Swedish folk music.The project is guided by the following research questions:How can Swedish folk music best be adapted for the balalaika?In what ways can the traditional performance practice of the balalaika be challenged bymaking arrangements of music originally conceived for the keyed fiddle?Are there any balalaika playing techniques that have the ability to imitate the sound of thekeyed fiddle?What novel possibilities may the balalaika offer to folk music originally conceived for thekeyed fiddle?Are there any difficulties in playing Swedish folk music on the balalaika?As a result of encounter process five arrangements were written, performed and recorded.As the source I used Swedish folk pieces for the keyed fiddle. “Spelmansglädje” - ”Fiddler´sJoy” by Erik Sahlström; “Vi är komna uti flickors land”, trad.; ”Finn Pål´s polska” of PaulDanielsson; ”Järv i säcken”- “Säkkijärvi polka”, trad.; ”Slängpolska efter Byss Kalle”, trad.For me personally, this research has given me the possibility to express myself as a musician,an artist and a researcher. It shows where I´m right now and how all this is related to myexperience as an individual and as a musician.Keywords: tradition; tradition in music; folk music; encounters; playing techniques;knowledge; experience; arrangement.