Korp-Erik Olson
Also went by the name Erick Linde and Erik Olofsson Linde
- Born: 1851. Hassela, Hälsingland, Sweden.
- Emigrated: 1908. Settled in Minnesota: Wyanett, Isanti County.
- Death: 1940 March 17. Cambridge, Isanti County, Minnesota.
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Photo of Korp-Erik. Family collection.
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Erik Olofsson Linde, known as Korp-Erik, was born on November 2, 1851, in Hassela, Gävleborg, Sweden. A legendary fiddler with a vast repertoire, he was a beloved and sought-after musician at local dances. His exceptional talent earned him the honor of performing at the World Exhibition in Stockholm.
In 1908, Korp-Erik emigrated from Fiskvik in Bergsjö, Sweden, to Minnesota, carrying his cherished violin across the Atlantic. He was joined by five of his children, while his daughter, Katrina Lundstedt, remained in Sweden. Katrina would later become a celebrated folk musician in her own right. Life in America was not easy. The family faced multiple house fires and endured the heartbreaking loss of several children to illness. Yet through these trials, Korp-Erik continued to play, weaving his rich musical heritage into the fabric of his new home—even as he longed to return to Sweden. One of Korp-Erik’s violins eventually made the journey back. In the early 2000s, a distant relative of his granddaughter brought the instrument to the Nordanstig community after a visit to Minneapolis. Carefully restored, it remains playable—a living testament to his enduring legacy. Another of his violins is preserved at the Swedish-American Institute in Minneapolis. In addition to his musical gifts, Korp-Erik was remembered for his great physical strength. Local lore tells of him lifting an enormous stone at his childhood home in Styggberg—a feat unmatched by others. In 1876, he married Katarina Pålsdotter, and the couple later settled in Fiskvik, Bergsjö, before deciding to emigrate. Today, Korp-Erik’s name is spoken with reverence, often mentioned alongside other great Swedish folk musicians such as Hultkläppen and Per-Erik Svedin. His legacy lives on in Sweden and among Swedish-American communities in Minnesota. The return of his violin after 97 years is more than the story of an instrument—it is a symbol of the enduring cultural bridge between two homelands |
FUN FACTS:
Korp-Erik's daughter, Katrina Lundstedt, also known as "Katrina-Korp," was a highly skilled tradition bearer from northern Hälsingland, Sweden, preserving and transmitting folk music through her powerful singing. Despite folk music being historically dominated by male fiddlers, Katrina learned a vast repertoire from her father, and other great musicians of the Hassela area. When no fiddler was available, she and her sister would sing and drum to provide dance music.
With an exceptional vocal range, keen ear, and strong memory, Katrina mastered intricate polskas and other traditional tunes, keeping them alive throughout her life. Her singing was so rhythmically and melodically precise that listeners could hear every implied string in the melodies. Recognized in the 1950s by Helge Nilsson her repertoire was recorded on film and tape. Tunes she collected are here on FolkWiki
Korp-Erik's daughter, Katrina Lundstedt, also known as "Katrina-Korp," was a highly skilled tradition bearer from northern Hälsingland, Sweden, preserving and transmitting folk music through her powerful singing. Despite folk music being historically dominated by male fiddlers, Katrina learned a vast repertoire from her father, and other great musicians of the Hassela area. When no fiddler was available, she and her sister would sing and drum to provide dance music.
With an exceptional vocal range, keen ear, and strong memory, Katrina mastered intricate polskas and other traditional tunes, keeping them alive throughout her life. Her singing was so rhythmically and melodically precise that listeners could hear every implied string in the melodies. Recognized in the 1950s by Helge Nilsson her repertoire was recorded on film and tape. Tunes she collected are here on FolkWiki
Music Links
Here are tunes that are after the playing of Korp-Erik.
Here are tunes that are after the playing of Korp-Erik.
- "Snurrebock" is a folk dance that involves twirling (snurre) and bowing (bock)
- "Den känns som jag flyger" a beautiful polska that translates to, "It feels like I'm flying"
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES