I remember when I first saw 7 people line up at a table, pick up two bells with each hand, and proceed to make music unlike anything I've heard before or since.  Not a single one of them played the melody. They created the melody and chords by coordinated movements and exquisite timing.  They played hymns, popular songs, you name it. And the sound of bells was magical and enchanting.
Imagine being in a choir without having to sing a single note. But you sure have to be able to concentrate, and read music.
Join me as we dive into the world of a handbell choir, how the bells work (more complicated than you'd think), and how with lots of practice they learn to play together.  You'll get to meet Matt Weed, a long-time handbell player who really knows his way around the bells. Like Matt, many of those in the Faith Lutheran Church Handbell Choir of Redmond, Washington, have been playing in the choir for 40-50 years. What is it that motivates these people to take time out at the end of their workdays to play bells? 
They say it's a lot of fun. And they invite anyone to experience handbell playing, including with digital bells online or on your phone. But it's more fun with a group of people!
<a href='https://nordicontap.podbean.com/p/links-and-pictures-for-making-joyful-music-the-handbell-choir/'>Links and pictures for this Handbell podcast</a> (<a href='https://nordicontap.podbean.com/p/links-and-pictures-for-making-joyful-music-the-handbell-choir/'>https://nordicontap.podbean.com/p/links-and-pictures-for-making-joyful-music-the-handbell-choir/</a>)

<description>&lt;p&gt;I remember when I first saw 7 people line up at a table, pick up two bells with each hand, and proceed to make music unlike anything I've heard before or since.  Not a single one of them played the melody. They created the melody and chords by coordinated movements and exquisite timing.  They played hymns, popular songs, you name it. And the sound of bells was magical and enchanting.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Imagine being in a choir without having to sing a single note. But you sure have to be able to concentrate, and read music.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Join me as we dive into the world of a handbell choir, how the bells work (more complicated than you'd think), and how with lots of practice they learn to play together.  You'll get to meet Matt Weed, a long-time handbell player who really knows his way around the bells. Like Matt, many of those in the Faith Lutheran Church Handbell Choir of Redmond, Washington, have been playing in the choir for 40-50 years. What is it that motivates these people to take time out at the end of their workdays to play bells? &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;They say it's a lot of fun. And they invite anyone to experience handbell playing, including with digital bells online or on your phone. But it's more fun with a group of people!&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href='https://nordicontap.podbean.com/p/links-and-pictures-for-making-joyful-music-the-handbell-choir/'&gt;Links and pictures for this Handbell podcast&lt;/a&gt; (&lt;a href='https://nordicontap.podbean.com/p/links-and-pictures-for-making-joyful-music-the-handbell-choir/'&gt;https://nordicontap.podbean.com/p/links-and-pictures-for-making-joyful-music-the-handbell-choir/&lt;/a&gt;)&lt;/p&gt;
</description>

Join us for a trip into the world of a handbell choir, where no one person plays the melody. Instead it is the coordination between players that makes the music happen.

Making Joyful Music - The Handbell Choir

Join us for an interview of Danish composer, musician, and journalist, Morten Alfred Høirup. We find out what the folk music scene is like in Denmark and how state-sponsored radio funding is somewhat dependent on the political views of the current government. Morten also describes his work as a composer for film, especially on esoteric topics like animals (he's composed for Animal Planet, for example). What kind of music does he write to accompany a squirming snake or a jumping frog? Listen and find out!
We finish with a live recording of the guitar-duo, Høirup and Dornfeld, playing a delightful medley of Ingela's Vals (by Morten Alfred) and Meget Gammel Vals fra Vendsyssel (traditional).

See links and pictures for this episode at: <a href='https://nordicontap.podbean.com/p/links-and-pictures-for-morten-alfred-h%C3%B8irup-on-tap-our-interview-podcast-episode/'>Links and Pictures: Høirup</a>

<description>&lt;p&gt;Join us for an interview of Danish composer, musician, and journalist, Morten Alfred Høirup. We find out what the folk music scene is like in Denmark and how state-sponsored radio funding is somewhat dependent on the political views of the current government. Morten also describes his work as a composer for film, especially on esoteric topics like animals (he's composed for Animal Planet, for example). What kind of music does he write to accompany a squirming snake or a jumping frog? Listen and find out!&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;We finish with a live recording of the guitar-duo, Høirup and Dornfeld, playing a delightful medley of Ingela's Vals (by Morten Alfred) and Meget Gammel Vals fra Vendsyssel (traditional).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="has-text-align-center"&gt;See links and pictures for this episode at: &lt;a href='https://nordicontap.podbean.com/p/links-and-pictures-for-morten-alfred-h%C3%B8irup-on-tap-our-interview-podcast-episode/'&gt;Links and Pictures: Høirup&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="has-text-align-center"&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
</description>

Join us for an interview of Danish composer, musician, and journalist, Morten Alfred Høirup. We find out what the folk music scene is like in Denmark and how state-sponsored radio funding is somewhat dependent on the political views of the current government. Morten also describes his work as a composer for film, especially on esoteric topics like animals (he's composed for Animal Planet, for example). What kind of music does he write to accompany a squirming snake or a jumping frog? Listen and find out!
We finish with a live recording of the guitar-duo, Høirup and Dornfeld, playing a delightful medley of Ingela's Vals (by Morten Alfred) and Meget Gammel Vals fra Vendsyssel (traditional).

See links and pictures for this episode at: Links and Pictures: Høirup
 


Morten Alfred Høirup on Tap: Our Interview

A "national treasure" is an artifact with significant cultural history associated with a particular country.
 
The Norwegian primstav certainly qualifies. It's a kind of perpetual calendar or almanac stick originating around 1100 was used to track important agricultural and religious dates through symbols used in particular communities.  
 
Then there's the Golden Horns of Gallehus, exquisite artifacts discovered in 1649 and 1734 in Southern Denmark. They show the first use of runic Germanic writing (Proto Norse) in the form of a full sentence. Their display in Danish museums was interrupted by a horrible event.
Join me as we learn about these two national treasures and hear a Nordic song from 1300 written in runes with notes.  These are two famous cultural icons that you've probably never heard of.
We also play the oldest song written in Proto-Norse runes entitled, "Drømde mik en drøm i nat" by Ensemble Mare Balticum.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
A transcript of this Primstav and the Horns of Gallehus podcast can be found <a href='https://nordicontap.com/p/transcript-primstav-horns-of-gallehus/'>here.</a>
<a href='https://nordicontap.podbean.com/p/links-and-pictures-for-national-treasures-the-primstav-and-the-horns-of-gallehus/'>Visit our Extras page for pictures, links, and notes on Primstavs and The Horns</a>.

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;A "national treasure" is an artifact with significant cultural history associated with a particular country.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The Norwegian primstav certainly qualifies. It's a kind of perpetual calendar or almanac stick originating around 1100 was used to track important agricultural and religious dates through symbols used in particular communities.  &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Then there's the Golden Horns of Gallehus, exquisite artifacts discovered in 1649 and 1734 in Southern Denmark. They show the first use of runic Germanic writing (Proto Norse) in the form of a full sentence. Their display in Danish museums was interrupted by a horrible event.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Join me as we learn about these two national treasures and hear a Nordic song from 1300 written in runes with notes.  These are two famous cultural icons that you've probably never heard of.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;We also play the oldest song written in Proto-Norse runes entitled, "Drømde mik en drøm i nat" by Ensemble Mare Balticum.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;---------------------------------------------------------------------------&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;A transcript of this Primstav and the Horns of Gallehus podcast can be found &lt;a href='https://nordicontap.com/p/transcript-primstav-horns-of-gallehus/'&gt;here.&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href='https://nordicontap.podbean.com/p/links-and-pictures-for-national-treasures-the-primstav-and-the-horns-of-gallehus/'&gt;Visit our Extras page for pictures, links, and notes on Primstavs and The Horns&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
</description>

Two cultural artifacts from Norwegian and Danish history from the Middle Ages are the two most intriguing national treasures you’ve never heard of. Join us to hear their stories.

National Treasures: The Primstav and the Horns of Gallehus

The heart has long been associated with heavy emotions, from joy to the deepest sorrow.  Why is that?  How long have humans even known there was this organ inside all of us?  

 In this program we explore the history of what we believe about the heart and the many Nordic and English expressions that refer to the heart.  Then we turn to Nordic folklore to learn what folk belief says about the necessity of having the organ called the heart, even if you are a troll. What might you sacrifice or gain by magically living without a heart (i.e. without a conscience)? 
We find out in the stories, "The troll who didn't carry his heart with him", and "The man without a heart."
Why is this question about "having a heart" so important today?
If you like what you hear, please follow us in your favorite podcast service or app!
<a href='https://nordicontap.podbean.com/p/links-and-pictures-for-man-without-a-heart/'>Links and Pictures for Nordic Folktales of the Heart </a> (<a href='https://nordicontap.podbean.com/p/links-and-pictures-for-man-without-a-heart/'>https://nordicontap.podbean.com/p/links-and-pictures-for-man-without-a-heart/</a>)

<description>&lt;p&gt;The heart has long been associated with heavy emotions, from joy to the deepest sorrow.  Why is that?  How long have humans even known there was this organ inside all of us? 
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; In this program we explore the history of what we believe about the heart and the many Nordic and English expressions that refer to the heart.  Then we turn to Nordic folklore to learn what folk belief says about the necessity of having the organ called the heart, even if you are a troll. What might you sacrifice or gain by magically living without a heart (i.e. without a conscience)? &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;We find out in the stories, "The troll who didn't carry his heart with him", and "The man without a heart."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Why is this question about "having a heart" so important today?&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;If you like what you hear, please follow us in your favorite podcast service or app!&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href='https://nordicontap.podbean.com/p/links-and-pictures-for-man-without-a-heart/'&gt;Links and Pictures for Nordic Folktales of the Heart &lt;/a&gt; (&lt;a href='https://nordicontap.podbean.com/p/links-and-pictures-for-man-without-a-heart/'&gt;https://nordicontap.podbean.com/p/links-and-pictures-for-man-without-a-heart/&lt;/a&gt;)&lt;/p&gt;
</description>

The heart has long been associated with heavy emotions, from joy to the deepest sorrow.  Why is that?  How long have humans even known there was this organ inside all of us? 
 In this program we explore the history of what we believe about the heart and the many Nordic and English expressions that refer to the heart.  Then we turn to Nordic folklore to learn what folk belief says about the necessity of having the organ called the heart, even if you are a troll. What might you sacrifice or gain by magically living without a heart (i.e. without a conscience)? 
We find out in the stories, "The troll who didn't carry his heart with him", and "The man without a heart."
Why is this question about "having a heart" so important today?
If you like what you hear, please follow us in your favorite podcast service or app!
Links and Pictures for Nordic Folktales of the Heart  (https://nordicontap.podbean.com/p/links-and-pictures-for-man-without-a-heart/)

Nordic Folktales of the Heart

Anthropologist Dimitris Xygalatas said in his book, Rituals: How Seemingly Senseless Acts Make Life Worth Living, that rituals often have no physical result when performed. Instead, rituals are symbolic, and perform a very essential function in the roles of community building, cooperation, and trust.
In this Nordic on Tap episode, we delve into the Saint Lucia ritual, which coincides with the old winter solstice date (Dec 13th) on the Julian calendar.  What happens during the St. Lucia ritual? Who participates? 
Traditionally in Sweden, Lucia was depicted as a blue-eyed, blonde girl with fair skin. However, in modern times, as the population becomes more diverse, the St. Lucia ritual has evolved to reflect a broader range of backgrounds, promoting greater inclusivity. This highlights how traditions can evolve to reflect societal changes while still maintaining their cultural significance.
Join me as we try to make sense of this with Stina Cowan, the Cultural Director at the Swedish Club Northwest, in Seattle, Washington USA.  We also listen to  3 traditional and lovely Lucia Day songs associated with the ritual.
See extras and links for this podcast here: <a href='https://nordicontap.podbean.com/p/the-ritual-of-st-lucia-then-and-now-with-stina-cowen-links/'>Links and Pictures St. Lucia</a>.

<description>&lt;p&gt;Anthropologist Dimitris Xygalatas said in his book, Rituals: How Seemingly Senseless Acts Make Life Worth Living, that rituals often have no physical result when performed. Instead, rituals are symbolic, and perform a very essential function in the roles of community building, cooperation, and trust.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;In this Nordic on Tap episode, we delve into the Saint Lucia ritual, which coincides with the old winter solstice date (Dec 13th) on the Julian calendar.  What happens during the St. Lucia ritual? Who participates? &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Traditionally in Sweden, Lucia was depicted as a blue-eyed, blonde girl with fair skin. However, in modern times, as the population becomes more diverse, the St. Lucia ritual has evolved to reflect a broader range of backgrounds, promoting greater inclusivity. This highlights how traditions can evolve to reflect societal changes while still maintaining their cultural significance.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Join me as we try to make sense of this with Stina Cowan, the Cultural Director at the Swedish Club Northwest, in Seattle, Washington USA.  We also listen to  3 traditional and lovely Lucia Day songs associated with the ritual.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;See extras and links for this podcast here: &lt;a href='https://nordicontap.podbean.com/p/the-ritual-of-st-lucia-then-and-now-with-stina-cowen-links/'&gt;Links and Pictures St. Lucia&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
</description>

Anthropologist Dimitris Xygalatas said in his book, Rituals: How Seemingly Senseless Acts Make Life Worth Living, that rituals often have no physical result when performed. Instead, rituals are symbolic, and perform a very essential function in the roles of community building, cooperation, and trust.
In this Nordic on Tap episode, we delve into the Saint Lucia ritual, which coincides with the old winter solstice date (Dec 13th) on the Julian calendar.  What happens during the St. Lucia ritual? Who participates? 
Traditionally in Sweden, Lucia was depicted as a blue-eyed, blonde girl with fair skin. However, in modern times, as the population becomes more diverse, the St. Lucia ritual has evolved to reflect a broader range of backgrounds, promoting greater inclusivity. This highlights how traditions can evolve to reflect societal changes while still maintaining their cultural significance.
Join me as we try to make sense of this with Stina Cowan, the Cultural Director at the Swedish Club Northwest, in Seattle, Washington USA.  We also listen to  3 traditional and lovely Lucia Day songs associated with the ritual.
See extras and links for this podcast here: Links and Pictures St. Lucia.

The Ritual of St. Lucia then and Now with Stina Cowen

Join us on an engaging and delightful tour of Nordic culture, through traditional music, art, history, folktales, and language.

Nordic on Tap - the podcast

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