Norway - The Art of the Langeleik

Crystal-clear tones and rich resonances from the langeleik zither, a tradition unbroken since the 15th century: melodies to listen to (lydarlatter) and numerous dances (springar, gangar, halling, etc.) form the core of an ancient and still lively repertoire.The langeleik belongs to the family of box zithers which is present throughout Northern and Central Europe (Hungry, Flanders and the Netherlands, Germany and Sweden). All of these instruments have a fretted fingerboard under one or several of the strings on which the melody is played, whilst the remaining strings, or drones, are used for accompaniment.Traditionally, the langeleik is played by the fingers of the left hand, and with a long horn plectrum held in the right hand, moving with regular, rhythmical backward and forward strokes. The preformers demonstrate their skills using ornamentation and rhythmical stresses. This unique way of playing actually gives langeleik music a nearly hypnotic flow.