(no subject)
Spring has at last come to Sweden! And when it comes, it's with summer temperatures. It's weird, only three weeks ago, there was still some snow left and now I'm walking around in capris. The world is exploding! And it's as miraculous and wonderful as every year. A very typically Swedish (or Scandinavian, I suppose) is that everyone just HAS to be outdoors. Restaurants and bars or cafés without seatings outside will be completely empty. It's a pent up desire from being indoors all winter.
Another fascinating thing is the traditional Scandinavian music of spring. While there are a few uptempo, celebrating songs of spring, most of them are very melancholy - as so much of traditional Swedish music is. It's rather odd, since it's such a time of happiness for most people. But the thing is, this music is among the most beautiful I know. I used to sing in a choir and I just loved to sing them. But they really should be sung by a male chorus. Because you see, many of these songs are serenades, meant to be sung by students, wooing a girl at dusk (which comes late in spring), by singing outside her window. It's terribly romantic and just the most beautiful thing. These are two of my favourites - sung by what is probably one of the very best male choruses in the world: Orphei Drängar (from my hometown!).
Kristallen den Fina
Till Österland
(Right click & save please!)
On Friday I went to see The New Pornographers in concert with a friend. They are so fabulous! They weren't terribly good with the chit-chat, perhaps, but they have such a lot of good songs. And they are six people, of whom four sing. When they all sing harmonies together, it's almost majestic. They're quirky and they write great songs. Just the way I like it!
Another fascinating thing is the traditional Scandinavian music of spring. While there are a few uptempo, celebrating songs of spring, most of them are very melancholy - as so much of traditional Swedish music is. It's rather odd, since it's such a time of happiness for most people. But the thing is, this music is among the most beautiful I know. I used to sing in a choir and I just loved to sing them. But they really should be sung by a male chorus. Because you see, many of these songs are serenades, meant to be sung by students, wooing a girl at dusk (which comes late in spring), by singing outside her window. It's terribly romantic and just the most beautiful thing. These are two of my favourites - sung by what is probably one of the very best male choruses in the world: Orphei Drängar (from my hometown!).
Kristallen den Fina
Till Österland
(Right click & save please!)
On Friday I went to see The New Pornographers in concert with a friend. They are so fabulous! They weren't terribly good with the chit-chat, perhaps, but they have such a lot of good songs. And they are six people, of whom four sing. When they all sing harmonies together, it's almost majestic. They're quirky and they write great songs. Just the way I like it!