The title of riksspelman[1] (Swedish: [ˈrɪ̂ksˌspeːlman], National Spelman) is a generally recognized badge of mastery for Swedish folk musicians. It is an honor bestowed upon bearers of the silver or gold Zorn Badge, awarded annually by the Zorn Jury, a panel of experts under the auspices of Svenska Folkdansringen.[2] The silver Zorn Badge is the highest award attainable for musicians who play before the Zorn Jury in their annual Zorn Trials. (Other possible awards include a certificate, bronze Zorn Badge, and post-bronze certificate.[3]) The gold Zorn Badge cannot be sought, but is reserved for one or two master musicians pre-selected by the Jury.[4]
Since the creation of the riksspelman title in 1933, it has been awarded to an average of ten people per year.[5] Sweden today has approximately 300 living riksspelmän.[6] Since 2013 Denmark has a corresponding title of "rigsspillemand", which has been bestowed on 23 musicians who play Danish traditional music.[7]
- ^ pl. riksspelmän
- ^ Ramsten (1985): 193.
- ^ Kaminsky (2007):27.
- ^ Kaminsky (2007):27-28.
- ^ "Sedan 1933 har ca 740 manliga och kvinnliga spelmän erövrat Zornmärket i silver och således blivit riksspelmän [Since 1933, approximately 740 male and female folk musicians have gained the silver Zorn Badge and so become riksspelmän]" (Folkdansringen).
- ^ "man räknar med att det idag finns omkring 300 riksspelmän [it is estimated that there are about 300 riksspelmän today]" (Hallhagen 2007).
- ^ "Nu får Danmark rigsspillemænd, som i Sverige | Folk Danmark". Archived from the original on 2017-08-25. Retrieved 2017-08-25.