瑞典民間聖誕節音樂合唱 蓋瑞.格雷登 指揮 Gary Graden / Folkjul II – A Swedish Christmas II

Well into the previous century Sweden was largely a peasant society with folk music an integral part of daily life. There were work songs, narrative ballads and, obviously, music for dancing. Over the centuries a not always easy coexistence between religion and folk culture developed, with hymns being adapted to a folk-music aesthetic while popular traditions were given a Christian veneer. An example of the latter is the rich store of ‘Staffanballads', springing from a pre-Christian horse cult but given a new slant as its focus shifted to St. Stephen –the first Christian martyr.

Gunnar Idenstamand S:t Jacobs Chamber Choirhave performed their Folkjulconcerts more or less every year since 2002. The concept stem from a rich interplay between ‘folk culture' and ‘high culture' and in Idenstam'sarrangements a newly composed hallingor polskaentwines itself round the old Christmas melodies. The first Folkjulalbum was released in 2007 –this time the choir and Idenstamare joined by violinist Sandra Marteleurand Ulrika Boden, one of Sweden's most well-established folk singers.