Ragnhild Hemsing

Violinist Ragnhild Hemsing has a unique background that encompasses both classical violin training and the folk traditions of her native Norway. She has performed and recorded folk-oriented material as well as classical concert music, and she plays the difficult Hardanger fiddle, a Norwegian folk instrument with several sympathetic strings. A connection with conductor Neeme Järvi helped her broaden her reputation beyond Norway. In 2011, Hemsing made her solo recording YR, an album that contained Norwegian traditional music as well as a Grieg sonata. She also recorded the folk album Varde, which also featured her sister Eldbjørg Hemsing and the folk ensemble Kvarts. In 2021, Ragnhild issued the album Røta, which featured both violin and Hardanger fiddle, and returned the following year with an adaptation of Grieg's Peer Gynt, Op. 23, that used both instruments and drew on the folk influences in Grieg's original score.