Sigbjørn Bernhoft Osa

Sigbjørn Bernhoft Osa was a renowned Norwegian fiddler and traditional folk musician, born on May 3, 1910, in Ulvik, Hardanger. He was one of the most celebrated performers of Norwegian folk music in the 20th century. Osa learned to play the violin and hardingfele from a young age, influenced by his father, a skilled musician. He studied music in Oslo and Berlin, eventually making his debut as a violinist in 1937. Osa was known for his extensive recordings of traditional Norwegian airs, often based on the Voss tradition, and he collaborated with notable composers like Geirr Tveitt. He also published a textbook on the hardingfele and was recognized with several awards for his contributions to music.

Throughout his career, Osa toured extensively in Norway, Europe, and the United States, sharing his unique blend of traditional music with diverse audiences. His legacy includes a concerto for hardingfele, titled "Three Fjords," and his autobiography, "Spelmannsliv," co-authored with Jostein Mæland. Osa passed away on February 2, 1990, in Voss, leaving behind a rich cultural heritage in Norwegian folk music.