Myllarguten

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Myllarguten, which means the Miller's Boy, is the nickname of Torgeir Augundsson (1801 to 1872), one of the best-known Norwegian folk musicians, around whom many stories have arisen. He was born in Sauherad in Telemark. The precise year of his birth is disputed, and the entries in the church registers are unclear about his background. His father Augund was a village fiddler and worked at the local mill. That is where the son got his name.

Music and breakthrough

According to the story, Torgeir did not dare to play the fiddle for fear of his father. He did it in secret while his father was at work. One day his father came home early, heard someone playing and asked in amazement who it was. His wife Gunhild had to admit that it was their son. After that Augund taught him, but the boy was so eager that he had to send him to other players in the area. His teachers included Knut Lurås, Jon Kjos, Mattis Flathus and Øystein Langedrag, a former soldier from the Napoleonic wars whose military music also influenced Myllarguten's style.

Influence

As his name grew, Torgeir became a harsh critic and a ruthless competitor, who could not bear being outdone. Only Håvard Gibøen, his counterpart from Telemark, he called the master of them all. To this day Myllarguten is regarded as the yardstick in Norwegian folk music.

Listening