Many regard Olov Johannson as Sweden's greatest craftsman on the nyckelharpa. With his brilliant solo playing and as a member of the group Väsen, he has been largely responsible for the explosion of nyckelharpa playing that has been witnessed recently in Sweden.
Olov grew up in Tärnsjö in northern Uppland and began to play the nyckelharpa at age 14. About a year later he began to study with Curt Tallroth, a well-known bearer of the tradition from Harbo. Through Curt, Olov has learned tunes that have been played in northern Uppland for centuries, passed on from musician to musician. Olov has also played with Eric Sahlström, the most prominent nyckelharpa player of the 20th century.
Since 1989, Olov has worked exclusively as a musician, principally with Väsen. But he also plays with Anders Bromander, Nyckelharpsorkestern, Björn Ståbi, Mats Berglund, Kalle Almlöf and as a solo artist. The popularity of the folk-rock group Nordman has brought the sound of Olov's harpa to the ears of more than one million record buyers. In 1997 he was honored to be the first Swedish folk musician to work with the world renowned American ensemble, the Kronos Quartet. Olov has toured in the U.S.A., Canada, India, Libya, Slovenia, France, Ireland, Scotland, Luxembourg, Italy, Japan and elsewhere.
Olov works actively to pass on his musical inheritance, and has become a role model for many young nyckelharpa players. He gives instruction both at The Eric Sahlström-Institute and through the Royal Music College in Stockholm.
Olov has received many awards and scholarships for his achievements as a musician. In 1984 he was selected as a National Musician, in 1989 he was awarded the Viksta-Lasse Scholarship, and in 1990 he was chosen as World's Master of both the modern and older type of nyckelharpa. In 1992 he received the Ceylon Wallin Scholarship and in 1995 the Vuxenskolan's Artist Stipendium.
Discografi:
1990 Väsen (Drone DROCD 001)with Väsen
1992 Vilda Väsen (Drone DROCD 004) with Väsen
1993 Essence (Auvidis B6787) with Väsen
1994 Myskolyrisk Vals (BLM CD 709) with Trio Con X
1994 Nordman (Sonet SLPCD2866/521 771-2) with Nordman
1995 Till Eric (Drone DROCD 006)with Nyckelharpsorkestern
1995 Ingenmansland (SLPCD2896/529 506-2)with Nordman 1996 Levande Väsen (Drone DROCD 009) with Väsen
1997 Världens Väsen (XOURCE XOUCD 118) with Väsen
1997 Early Music (Nonesuch) with Kronos Quartet
1997 Mark II (PCCD8137) with Sorten Muld
1998 Storsvarten (Drone DROCD 011) Solo and with friends.
1998 Örsprång (Drone DROCD 012) With Curt Tallroth
1999 Gront (XOURCE XOUCD 126) with Väsen
2000 Byss-Calle (Drone DROCD 022)with Nyckelharpsorkestern
2002 Väsen Live at the Nordic Roots Festival (XOUCD 135 )
2003 Trio (Northside NSD6077) with Väsen
2003 N.H.O (Drone DROCD032) with Nyckelharpsorkestern
2004 Keyed Up (Northside NS6080) with Väsen
2005 Tråd (BPCD 049) with Barry Phillips
2005 Väsen live in Japan (Northside NSD6087) with Väsen
2006 Like Cotton (artegen 1) Anders Bromander Ensemble
Olov grew up in Tärnsjö in northern Uppland and began to play the nyckelharpa at age 14. About a year later he began to study with Curt Tallroth, a well-known bearer of the tradition from Harbo. Through Curt, Olov has learned tunes that have been played in northern Uppland for centuries, passed on from musician to musician. Olov has also played with Eric Sahlström, the most prominent nyckelharpa player of the 20th century.
Since 1989, Olov has worked exclusively as a musician, principally with Väsen. But he also plays with Anders Bromander, Nyckelharpsorkestern, Björn Ståbi, Mats Berglund, Kalle Almlöf and as a solo artist. The popularity of the folk-rock group Nordman has brought the sound of Olov's harpa to the ears of more than one million record buyers. In 1997 he was honored to be the first Swedish folk musician to work with the world renowned American ensemble, the Kronos Quartet. Olov has toured in the U.S.A., Canada, India, Libya, Slovenia, France, Ireland, Scotland, Luxembourg, Italy, Japan and elsewhere.
Olov works actively to pass on his musical inheritance, and has become a role model for many young nyckelharpa players. He gives instruction both at The Eric Sahlström-Institute and through the Royal Music College in Stockholm.
Olov has received many awards and scholarships for his achievements as a musician. In 1984 he was selected as a National Musician, in 1989 he was awarded the Viksta-Lasse Scholarship, and in 1990 he was chosen as World's Master of both the modern and older type of nyckelharpa. In 1992 he received the Ceylon Wallin Scholarship and in 1995 the Vuxenskolan's Artist Stipendium.
Discografi:
1990 Väsen (Drone DROCD 001)with Väsen
1992 Vilda Väsen (Drone DROCD 004) with Väsen
1993 Essence (Auvidis B6787) with Väsen
1994 Myskolyrisk Vals (BLM CD 709) with Trio Con X
1994 Nordman (Sonet SLPCD2866/521 771-2) with Nordman
1995 Till Eric (Drone DROCD 006)with Nyckelharpsorkestern
1995 Ingenmansland (SLPCD2896/529 506-2)with Nordman 1996 Levande Väsen (Drone DROCD 009) with Väsen
1997 Världens Väsen (XOURCE XOUCD 118) with Väsen
1997 Early Music (Nonesuch) with Kronos Quartet
1997 Mark II (PCCD8137) with Sorten Muld
1998 Storsvarten (Drone DROCD 011) Solo and with friends.
1998 Örsprång (Drone DROCD 012) With Curt Tallroth
1999 Gront (XOURCE XOUCD 126) with Väsen
2000 Byss-Calle (Drone DROCD 022)with Nyckelharpsorkestern
2002 Väsen Live at the Nordic Roots Festival (XOUCD 135 )
2003 Trio (Northside NSD6077) with Väsen
2003 N.H.O (Drone DROCD032) with Nyckelharpsorkestern
2004 Keyed Up (Northside NS6080) with Väsen
2005 Tråd (BPCD 049) with Barry Phillips
2005 Väsen live in Japan (Northside NSD6087) with Väsen
2006 Like Cotton (artegen 1) Anders Bromander Ensemble
