Orsa Spelmän

Formed in Orsa, in the Dalecarlia region of Sweden, Orsa Spelmän brings together around the Swedish traditional repertoire several instrumentalists from the local folk scene, among them Leif Göras, Per-Erik Moraeus, Olle Moraeus, Kalle Moraeus and, more recently, Pether Olsson. Active in this formation since 1987, the group aligns with the tradition of the spelmän, musicians tied to dance music and Scandinavian popular tunes, while incorporating original compositions and a more open approach to arrangement. The sound of Orsa Spelmän rests on a collective playing centered on strings, notably the violin, enriched by the accordion, the clarinet, the saxophone, the guitar and other acoustic instruments, in a balance between the energy of bal folk, ornamented melodies and ensemble writing. Orsa Spelmän has also developed a lasting link with Benny Andersson, initially through the album Klinga mina klockor in 1987, then on several joint projects and collaborations with BAO. Its discography includes notably Orsa spelmän (1988), Fiolen min (1990), Ödra (1998) and Orsa nästa! (2006). The group has also reached a wider audience with its participation in Melodifestivalen in 2010 and then in 2018, without moving away from its Swedish folk roots.