Aslak Brekke facts for kids

Aslak Brekke (born October 6, 1901 – died February 13, 1978) was a famous singer from Norway. He was especially known for singing a special type of traditional Norwegian song called stev. He was also a very popular folk music singer.

Early Life and Unique Style

Aslak Brekke was born in a place called Vinje in Telemark, Norway.

He had a very unique way of singing. He often said that he didn't just sing the songs, but he "recited" them. This means he would tell the story of the song more like speaking it, but with a musical rhythm. He would often tap his foot along with the music to keep the beat.

In his younger years, Aslak worked as a postman. People often said they could hear him singing from far away as he rode his bicycle to deliver mail! He loved to sing all the time.

He was good friends with a famous composer named Eivind Groven since they were children. Eivind's wife, Ragna, remembered Aslak visiting their farm in the late 1920s. She said he would start singing the moment he arrived and keep singing all evening. Ragna was amazed by how many songs he knew!

A Career in Folk Music

Aslak Brekke had several important moments in his musical journey:

• He was the very first folk singer in Norway to perform on a nationwide radio show. This was a big deal for folk music!
• He performed at a very important concert in 1945. This concert was held in the "Aula," a special hall at the University of Oslo.
• He made a unique recording of the song Ståle Storli with Eivind Groven playing the harmonium.

When Aslak Brekke first sang on national radio, some people in the cities didn't like it. They weren't used to his traditional style and thought it sounded rough or untrained. Eivind Groven explained that these listeners might not be familiar with the "old Norwegian tonal ways" of singing. Some people have even compared his voice and singing style to how Bob Dylan sounded when he was younger.

Aslak Brekke and Eivind Groven met for the last time in the summer of 1976. Eivind was ill at the time. When Aslak saw him, he playfully asked, "Eivind, are you still alive?" The two friends then spent the whole evening singing old songs and tunes together, which everyone enjoyed very much.

Eivind Groven passed away the next winter, and Aslak Brekke died in 1978. A book about Aslak Brekke and his songs, called Aslak Brekke og visune hans, was released in 1983 in both Norwegian and English.