Harald Haugaard is Denmark’s most sensational folk musician and a highly influential international composer who has performed across the globe. An inventive virtuoso fiddle player, passionate musician and winner of nine Danish Music Awards, his characteristic style offers contemporary Danish folk music deeply rooted in tradition.
For this special one-off performance in Dorset, Haugaard returns to the Artsreach circuit for the first time since 2010. This time he presents a trio, featuring guitarist Mikkel Grue and percussionist Sune Rahbek, from folkfusion band Serras, in a vibrant and virtuous combination. Helene Blum, winner of the Danish Music award for Folk Debut of the Year in 2004, will join them. Blum has thrilled audiences throughout Europe, Canada and Japan with her intensely expressive, crystal clear voice. Using ancient songs and ballads as a base, she reinvents them with contemporary expressions and mixes them elegantly with newly written songs, including her own. She is deeply rooted in Danish music traditions, but at the same time is not afraid to challenge them.
Together the quartet will perform with great presence, a delicate blend of old traditional Danish dance tunes and songs, complemented by Haugaard’s beautiful compositions and thrilling improvisations. This stunning combination of performers creates an event that is sure to be a highlight on the Artsreach programme this summer.
“One of the three best fiddlers in the world” Folk Roots Magazine
“Haugaard is the master of sublime moments” Sing Out
Sunday 26th May, 7:30pm. Portesham Village Hall. Tel: 01305 871925
Tickets £9, £7 U18s, £30 family four