Brännvinspolska efter Hultkläppen

Hultkläppen was a fiddler of the late 1800’s to early 1900’s in northern Hälsingland. He was known as a ne’er do well and a drunkard, but was undeniably the best fiddler in the region.

Many are the stories about him. He was an extraordionarily eccentric character, and his music continues to be honored and played even today.

“Brännvinspolska” translates as “Brandy Tune”.

In 1977 a television documentary was filmed about Hultkläppen. In one scene he interrupts a temperance meeting and drunkenly plays a fabulous tune, leading the entire group of attendees to follow him out into the winter night to hear him play.

Thore Härdelin, legendary Hälsingland fiddler himself, appears in the documentary playing the role of Hultkläppen, and performing the Brännvinspolska. You will find it beginning at point 1.28 in the clip here.