WHO IS ERIK RYDVALL?

Born in Västerbotten and now based in Stockholm, Erik Rydvall has steadily risen to stardom as one of the most innovative nyckelharpa players of his generation. After beginning his musical journey on the violin, he discovered the nyckelharpa at eighteen, later studying at the prestigious Eric Sahlström Institute in Tobo and the Royal College of Music in Stockholm. Meeting legendary nyckelharpa pioneers inspired him to develop his own distinctive voice—one that respects the instrument's deep Swedish roots while pushing it into entirely new musical territories.

A highly sought-after musician, Erik is a founding member of the award-winning folk trio Nordic, as well as the acclaimed Scandinavian duo Rydvall/Mjelva alongside Norwegian Hardanger fiddler Olav Luksengård Mjelva. His creative drive has led him to tour with the Swiss flamenco dance company Flamencos en route and perform as a studio musician for major international productions, including soundtracks for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Loki, and God of War.

CONTEMPORARY NYCKELHARPA PERFORMANCE

Erik approaches the nyckelharpa with a philosophy rooted in continuous exploration. Believing that music is a language without boundaries, he brings a high-energy, virtuosic presence to his live performances. Whether performing intricate chamber music or driving rhythmic folk tunes, his playing is characterized by rhythmic precision, dynamic bowing techniques, and a profound understanding of harmonic interplay. This versatility allows him to collaborate seamlessly across the global music scene, demonstrating that the nyckelharpa belongs on the contemporary world stage as much as it does in a traditional Swedish spelmansstämma.

THE NYCKELHARPA IN CONTEMPORARY MUSIC

The unique acoustic properties of the nyckelharpa—with its keyed fretboard and resonating sympathetic strings—give it a mystical and magical quality. Erik performs on both traditional instruments and specialized modern builds. Recognizing the limitations of a traditional nyckelharpa (which is tuned like a viola) when approaching classical violin repertoire, Erik commissioned a new type of nyckelharpa featuring a high E string. This innovative instrument allows him to perform works like J.S. Bach’s violin sonatas and partitas in their original keys without having to transpose, bridging the mechanical evolution of the instrument with ambitious artistic goals.

THE RIGHT PRIM STRING FOR EVERY INSTRUMENT

Every instrument responds differently depending on its construction, materials, and intended use.

ERIK RYDVALL × PRIM STRINGS

Bringing the nyckelharpa into modern recording studios and international concert halls requires strings that deliver absolute reliability and tonal consistency. Erik chooses Prim strings for their signature warmth, brilliant projection, and exceptional tuning stability—qualities that are essential when navigating the complex sympathetic string systems of his instruments. Whether he is recording atmospheric textures for a Hollywood soundtrack or driving a fast-paced folk arrangement live on stage, Prim Nyckelharpa strings ensure his instrument responds with clarity, depth, and the versatility required to translate his cross-genre vision to the audience.

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