John Stenersen makes his artistic debut with a rare musical treasure from the North Østerdalen region – “Tronsgårdhallingen” is out today. The haunting new single breathes fresh life into a traditional Norwegian halling, transporting an ancient tune into a completely new, atmospheric sonic landscape.
Norwegian musician John Stenersen has spent the last 15 years secretly developing this project, carefully crafting a sound that is now finally ready for the world. Stenersen is known from his performances with Wardruna, Gåte and Bergtatt.
The track possesses deep roots in the traditional fiddle music of Hedmark and North Østerdalen. Its source material originates from Thorvald Tronsgård, a highly respected fiddle player from Folldal, nestled close to the misty mountains of Rondane, one of Norway’s most iconic mountain ranges. Tronsgård’s music shaped his local community for nearly a century and “Tronsgårdhallingen” or “Halling etter Thorvald Tronsgård” is probably the most famous tune he left us. In Norwegian folk tradition, when a tune is named “etter” (after) a specific player, it signifies that the melody was orally passed down, shaped, and immortalized through that master’s unique interpretation, creative touch and signature energy. It is this profound cultural lineage that Stenersen unearths and reimagines for the modern era. John Stenersen about the first release «Tronsgårdhallingen»:
“This is one of my absolute favorites! It’s an old halling born from the misty mountains of Rondane in the heart of Norway. I haven’t been able to find any evidence of anyone ever recording this specific tune on the nyckelharpa before, so I believe this release marks a world first.”
LISTEN TO THE FIRST SINGLE HERE
While this debut single respects the inherent core of the original tune, it wraps it in a dark, cinematic production. The resulting soundscape is defined by a unique and deeply organic instrumentation. Here, the crystalline resonance of the nyckelharpa meets the drone of the hurdy-gurdy, the raw grit of the tagelharpa, and the breathing textures of a harmonium. Layered with ambient synths, hypnotic frame drums, and primal percussion crafted from sticks, stones, and bones, “Tronsgårdhallingen” serves as a sonic portal, connecting the rural dance floors of the past with the heavy, atmospheric world of contemporary dark nordic folk.
The official launch and official release show will take place at the Midgardsblot festival on August 13th, marking the arrival of a powerful new voice in the modern traditional music scene. At the festival, Stenersen will officially launch this new project and have the release show of his debut single. This will mark the beginning of a year-long rollout of new music ahead.
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