Then go to this link and listen to Josephine’s Waltz played by Vasen. Fiddle, Nykelharpa and 12-string guitar. Sorry, no whistle. The tune was written by Roger Tallroth, the guitar player. It has been recorded by Dervish. Quicktime is required to watch.
http://www.tvfolk.net/video.html
Steve
Steve, what’s that ‘big daddy’ violin with all the keys on it?
That’s so cool – I’ve never seen someone play a nyckelharpa. Kinda like a hurdy gurdy with a bow instead of a wheel.
Interesting instrument…
I guess you already have your answer, Tony. It’s a nyckelharpa. A bowed instrument where the notes are made by pressing the keys. For more information check the link.
Steve
Vasen is glorious. 
I’ve wanted a nyckelharpa for some time now, but my are they expensive. (I’m a bit monetarily challenged.)
Did anyone who went to that Scandanavian site in my original message listen to anything else? I just tried the band Bask playing Vals fran Munkadel performed on flute, fiddle and baritone saxophone. Check it out! Really nice bass/contrapuntal work on the sax.
Steve
Steve, I sampled a few of those video files… they were all great!
Steve,
That was beautiful. Thanks for the link.
Carol
You might try a bul-bul aka Indian Banjo. They are a similarly keyed instrument, but strummed or picked, rather than bowed (you could try bowing it).
http://www.mid-east.com/cgi-bin/shopper.exe?preadd=action&key=BANJ
That’s incredibly cool for a banjo.
I think I’ll wait and see if I ever have enough money to get a nyckelharpa, though. Part of the reason I like them is that they’re in keeping with my Swedish heritage. It’s silly and sentimental of me I know.
“It’s silly and sentimental of me I know. ”
Absolutely not
/Peter