Benedicte Maurseth is an acclaimed Hardanger fiddler, composer, and author, recognized for her significant contributions to traditional music. As a long-standing apprentice of master fiddler Knut Hamre, she specializes in Hardanger traditions and has performed extensively as a soloist both in Norway and internationally, including notable venues such as the Sydney Opera House and Carnegie Hall. Her collaborative work spans theatre, art, and music, partnering with distinguished artists including Jon Fosse, Anne Marit Jacobsen, Rolf Lislevand, Mats Eilertsen, Kronos Quartet, and others. Maurseth has composed commissioned works for a range of organizations such as Kronos Quartet, Prague Music Ensemble, Ensemble neoN, Marvel Studios, the National Theatre, festivals, television, and film productions.

Maurseth has produced multiple albums for Hubro Records & Heilo (Grappa Musikkforlag) and ECM Records, and published books, articles, and essays. Her solo album Hárr (2022) won the Nordic Music Prize and was ranked among The Guardian's top ten folk music albums globally in 2022. That same year, she published the non-fiction book Systerspel - Om spelet som var og spelet som vart borte, a pioneering account of female fiddlers' history from the 18th century onward. For this work, along with related concert performances and museum exhibition, she received the Folk Musician of the Year award in 2023 and the SFF prize for her substantial impact on Norwegian folk music.

In 2025, Maurseth released the internationally recognized album Mirra, which was also listed among The Guardian's top ten folk albums of the year and featured in publications such as The Wire, Mojo, and Jazzwise. Mirra was nominated for the Spellemannprisen (Norwegian Grammy Award) in both the Open Class and Composer of the Year categories.

Also in 2025, Maurseth premiered Elja, co-composed with Kristine Tjøgersen and commissioned by the Kronos Quartet, with Maurseth performing alongside the ensemble.

In 2026, Maurseth will serve as House Composer for KODE in Bergen and is currently developing a new work dedicated to the Hardangerfjord. This project, along with Hárr and Mirra, comprises a trilogy focused on ecology, biodiversity, and particularly endangered species.

Photo: Agnete Brun