Aslak Brekke
Encyclopedia
Aslak Brekke was a prominent vocalist of one of the Scandinavia
n poetic genres that is referred to as stev
.
As a folk music
singer, he was also well-known.
He was born in Vinje
, Telemark
.
One way to describe his style of singing, might be to use his own words, that he recited the songs, to a greater degree, rather than straightforward singing them. And often he would follow the pulse of the song, with foot-tapping
.
Aslak lived as a postman in his early years. It is said that he could be heard far off, as he was singing all the way while treading his bicycle. Eivind Groven was a childhood friend of him, and Eivind`s wife Ragna recalled how he came to Groven farm in the late 1920`s. Then he sang from the moment he arrived and all through the evening. His repertoire was almost incredible, Ragna recalled.
Musical/poetic career highlights include :
When Aslak Brekke first was broadcast on national radio, the more urban public reacted with scorn. They were not used to his way of singing, finding it crude and unlearned. Eivind Groven noted that the public might not be trained in the "old Norwegian tonal ways" as he put it. His voice and singing could be compared to Bob Dylan
in his younger years.
Aslak Brekke and Eivind Groven met each other for the last time in the summer of 1976. Groven died the next winter, Brekke in 1978. Groven, ill from Parkinson`s disease, approached, and Aslak exclaimed: "Eivind, are you still counted among the living?"
The two of them sat down and sang old ditties and songs all evening, to the delight of all other present.
The Norwegian/English edition of Aslak Brekke og visune hans, was released in 1983.
Scandinavia
Scandinavia is a cultural, historical and ethno-linguistic region in northern Europe that includes the three kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, characterized by their common ethno-cultural heritage and language. Modern Norway and Sweden proper are situated on the Scandinavian Peninsula,...
n poetic genres that is referred to as stev
Stev
Stev is one of the poetic forms that can be found in lyric poetry from Scandinavia. The English version of the word is stave, meaning the stressed syllable in a metric verse.-Gamlestev:...
.
As a folk music
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
singer, he was also well-known.
He was born in Vinje
Vinje
Vinje is a municipality in Telemark county, Norway. It is part of the traditional region of Vest-Telemark. The administrative center of the municipality is the village of Åmot.-Name:...
, Telemark
Telemark
is a county in Norway, bordering Vestfold, Buskerud, Hordaland, Rogaland and Aust-Agder. The county administration is in Skien. Until 1919 the county was known as Bratsberg amt.-Location:...
.
One way to describe his style of singing, might be to use his own words, that he recited the songs, to a greater degree, rather than straightforward singing them. And often he would follow the pulse of the song, with foot-tapping
Foot-tapping
names = Foot tapping, podorythmyimage =classification = percussion related = step danceFoot tapping or podorythmy is a percussion technique that uses the feet as a musical instrument to produce sound by hitting the feet on the floor. Some people consider it a dance, but it...
.
Aslak lived as a postman in his early years. It is said that he could be heard far off, as he was singing all the way while treading his bicycle. Eivind Groven was a childhood friend of him, and Eivind`s wife Ragna recalled how he came to Groven farm in the late 1920`s. Then he sang from the moment he arrived and all through the evening. His repertoire was almost incredible, Ragna recalled.
Musical/poetic career highlights include :
- he was the first folksingerFolksinger----Folksinger is an album by folk singer-songwriter Phranc, released in 1985.Phranc's first solo LP fused elements of her punk rock past with acoustic folk music...
to perform on a nationwide radio-broadcast, in Norway. - his performance at the significant concert that was held 1945, in the ceremonial hall (the "Aula") at the University of OsloUniversity of OsloThe University of Oslo , formerly The Royal Frederick University , is the oldest and largest university in Norway, situated in the Norwegian capital of Oslo. The university was founded in 1811 and was modelled after the recently established University of Berlin...
. - a unique recording of the song Ståle StorliStåle StorliStåle Storli, also spelled Staale Storlid, is the title of a Norwegian folksong and a novel by John Lie , published in 1880.Ståle Storli is a folksong about a love to a cotter's daughter. A love that is not returned....
, together with Eivind GrovenEivind GrovenEivind Groven was a Norwegian microtonal composer and music-theorist. He was from Telemark and had his background in the folk music of the area.- Biography :...
(harmoniumHarmoniumA harmonium is a free-standing keyboard instrument similar to a reed organ. Sound is produced by air being blown through sets of free reeds, resulting in a sound similar to that of an accordion...
).
When Aslak Brekke first was broadcast on national radio, the more urban public reacted with scorn. They were not used to his way of singing, finding it crude and unlearned. Eivind Groven noted that the public might not be trained in the "old Norwegian tonal ways" as he put it. His voice and singing could be compared to Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet, film director and painter. He has been a major and profoundly influential figure in popular music and culture for five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly...
in his younger years.
Aslak Brekke and Eivind Groven met each other for the last time in the summer of 1976. Groven died the next winter, Brekke in 1978. Groven, ill from Parkinson`s disease, approached, and Aslak exclaimed: "Eivind, are you still counted among the living?"
The two of them sat down and sang old ditties and songs all evening, to the delight of all other present.
The Norwegian/English edition of Aslak Brekke og visune hans, was released in 1983.