You get preconceived notions about Sweden before you come. One is that all the women are blond and extra tall. False. Or even all people are blond. False. Although there may be more blonds than in most places. Some blonds are from a bottle. Oh well, I am too. Or, that everyone loves raw creamed herring, and I would have to eat it. I haven’t yet!
But, I didn’t know that Swedes love music and singing. Oh, I knew about Abba from the 70’s to present. I heard of a practical joke, that you would be sure to lose your Swedish friends if you pretend you never heard of Abba.
Recently Sweden won the 2012 Eurovision contest. This is a huge honor for Sweden. Here is a video of the winner, Loreen, with her final winning performance.
The Swedes have many traditional songs to celebrate Spring, and Summer. If you live in Sweden during the cold, dark winter, you know why they celebrate.
Traditional songs such as, Merry as a Bird, Yearning for the Countryside, Welcome Lovely May, In This sweet Summer (all titles here are translated to English), and many more, are sung.
Last night we were invited to attend a concert with the acapella Chorus Lin of Linköpings Mixed Student choir. It was partly Spring or Summer traditional songs, and Bach. My husband, Daren works with one of the men in the group, Erik Nilsson. Here is a picture of him last night. He is the first man on the left side, first row.
Erik Nilsson and Chorus Lin Photo by Daren R. Couch
The group even has CD’s produced. One is a Christmas CD, Chorus av roster-Stämningsfullt I juletid (2011). You can find it on Spotify.
Erik sings the solo in Veni, Veni Emanuel. Click to be linked.
Another CD that is out, and on Spotify, is Come in and Stay a While (2009)
Erik sings the solo in Lullaby. Click on this title also for the link.
I would say that some Swedes definitely have the gift of singing! Don’t you agree?
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