See a live performance with Gangspil, two of Denmark’s leading folk musicians, this November at Scandinavia House! Gangspil, featuring Sonnich Lydom on accordion and harmonica and Kristian Bugge on fiddle, performs old dance tunes and songs from every corner of their Scandinavian home country, from rural islands like Læsø to Copenhagen, including a few of their own compositions. Their lively performances include everything from wild polkas and jigs to lyrical waltzes, fiery reels and happy hopsas, as well as the exotic “Sønderhoning” dance tunes from the island of Fanø and long-forgotten songs from all over the country.
Having toured extensively with over 120 shows in North American since 2015, as the recipient of honors including the 2016 Tradition Award at the Danish Music Awards, Gangspil brings audiences on an entertaining and variated journey through Danish folk traditions alongside humor and stories from their years on the road.
About the Performers
Sonnich Lydom (accordion, harmonica, vocal) is a master of Irish, French-Canadian, and especially Danish traditional tunes. During the last 25 years he’s been leading the revival for diatonic accordion and harmonica in the Danish folk music. Sonnich holds a special place in his heart for the music from the Western Island of Fanø, where his family is deeply rooted. He is best know from his work with the ULC trio and later quintet ULC received the Danish Music Award in the category “Folk Album of the Year” in both 2001 and 2004. Both Sonnich and Kristian were among the first 12 musicians to receive the honorary title “Danmarks Rigsspillemænd” (National Danish Folk Musicians) in 2014.
Kristian Bugge (fiddle, vocal) has specialized in the strong Danish folk music traditions. He is very active on the Danish and Scandinavian folk music scene as well as in the rest of Europe and North America, both as a musician and teacher. His debut CD was awarded “Danish Debut of the Year” and “Danish Folk Instrumentalist of the Year” at the Danish Music Awards Folk 2006. In both 2012 and 2016, Kristian received the award as ”Danish Folk Artist of the Year” at the same event.