Norwegian bagpipe? Is there such an instrument? Isn’t the bagpipe a Scottish instrument? At least, not exclusively. There are quite a number of other bagpipes different from the Highland pipes, among the more well-known is the Irish Uiellan pipes. In Sweden there is a relatively recent revival tradition, to a certain extent based on historical sources. Sources of pipes and pipe playing are extremely rare in Norway, and far to few to be useful for any kind of reconstruction of either music or instrument. There- fore, it is rather doubtful to what extent the music presented here may be called ‘Norwegian bagpipe music’, and not too important to me. But, I must admit, it is a point that this is not Scottish Highland pipe music. I have nothing against Highland pipes, but this is something different.
Most of the music presented here is based on Norwegian traditional music; all the music is recorded in Norway, and I am a Norwegian citizen. On the other hand, the instrument is built by a German maker living in Sweden, based on both Swedish and other traditions. But, then, to what extent are other instruments and instrumental traditions practiced in Norway really ‘Norwegian’? The violin is used over most of the world; so is the jaw’s harp, and even the harding- fele has relatives in countries far away.
My motivation for this project is connected more to the actual sound of the instrument than to the national connotations of the instrument or the music. The bagpipe sound adds something to the music that is quite different from what the other instruments do; excactly what it is difficult to explain. Therefore – listen to the music and make up your mind. And then, don’t bother about the possible ethnicity of the instrument.