The Nordic Harper: An Interview with Erik Ask-Upmark
As with many of the harpists on this podcast, I met Swedish multi-instrumentalist Erik Ask-Upmark at The Somerset Folk Harp Festival which takes place every July in Parsippany, NJ. Erik is not only a world renowned harpist, pipe player, historian and historical reenactor among other things that we’ll discuss in this interview, but Erik has a sense of humor that his audiences and students love.
This is a video Erik did to help out a friend of mine with a scavenger hunt for charity called, GISH. (This video was sped up for the competition.)
Erik is a professional performer of the Celtic harp, arpa doppia (two-row Baroque harp), and the Swedish bagpipes, among other instruments.. Erik has a great love of Celtic music and arranging Scandinavian folk songs. He has even earned the title of "Riksspelman" (Master Musician of the Realm) in his native country of Sweden. He is sought after for his solo performances, teaching, and the work he does with his ensembles Svanevit , Dram , and Falsobordone .
Erik’s latest Nordic Harp album is Winter is Coming . He also has another new release this year with Medieval ensemble Falsobordone's "1350" Music for a Plague with music from the year - 1350. I don’t know if I have ever met a musician who plays and performs music from the 7th Century pre-Viking age to playing piano for silent film and DJing music from the 1920s and 30s. Yes, Erik also DJs as DJ Prohibition playing 78s from the 20s and 30s on hand crank gramophones.
Erik loves sharing history through music. As does his wife, Anna Rynefors, who has many interesting projects one of which is a children’s show called, “Seigrid the Dragon Slayer” .
“Music transcends all borders”
-Erik Ask-Upmark
“The arts are essential to any complete national life. The State owes it to itself to sustain and encourage them….Ill fares the race which fails to salute the arts with the reverence and delight which are their due.”
-Winston Churchill
I have some exciting announcements coming up for the podcast next week and some fun new things I have in store for all of you to put a smile on your faces and music in your ears. So, tune in to my next episode for more information or sign up for my newsletter. Just head to my website moonoverthetrees.com/podcast to sign up.
LINKS
Erik’s Website: www.ask-upmark.se/harp/
Erik’s Bandcamp: erikaskupmark.bandcamp.com/
DJ Prohibition: www.djprohibition.com/english.html
Dråm Swedish Folk Music: www.draam.com/
Falsobordone Medieval Ensemble: www.draam.com/falsobordone/index.html
Sigrid and the Dragon: www.annarynefors.se/sigridochdraken/index-eng.html