Gunnar Idenstam – Folkjul II: A Swedish Folk Christmas (2018) [FLAC 24bit/96kHz]

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 ‘Staffan ballads’, springing from a pre-Christian horse cult but given a new slant as its focus shifted to St. Stephen – the first Christian martyr. Gunnar Idenstam and S:t Jacobs Chamber Choir have performed their Folkjul concerts more or less every year since 2002. The concept stem from a rich interplay between ‘folk culture’ and ‘high culture’ and in Idenstam’s arrangements a newly composed halling or polska entwines itself round the old Christmas melodies. The first Folkjul album was released in 2007 – this time the choir and Idenstam are joined by violinist Sandra Marteleur and Ulrika Bodén, one of Sweden’s most well-established folk singers.

Tracklist:
01. Från himmelen kom ängeln Gabriel (Arr. G. Idenstam for Choir & Organ)
02. Var hälsad sköna morgonstund (Arr. G. Idenstam for Voice, Violin, Choir & Organ)
03. In dulci jubilo (Arr. G. Idenstam for Choir & Violin)
04. Tiggarvisa från Malung (Arr. G. Idenstam for Voice, Violin, Choir & Organ)
05. Polska (Arr. G. Idenstam for Voice, Flute, Violin, Choir & Organ)
06. Nu sjunga Guds änglar (Arr. G. Idenstam for Choir)
07. En gangar till kaffet
08. Det lyser en stjärna (Arr. G. Idenstam for Voice, Violin, Choir & Organ)
09. Nu tändas tusen juleljus (Arr. G. Idenstam for Voice, Violin & Organ)
10. Christine’s polska
11. Staffansvisa (After Bach’s BWV Anh. 126) [Arr. G. Idenstam for Voice, Violin, Choir & Organ]
12. Staffan Halling II (Arr. G. Idenstam for Flute, Violin, Choir & Organ)
13. En stjärna gick på himlen fram (Arr. G. Idenstam for Voice, Flute, Violin, Choir & Organ)
14. Den signade dag (Arr. G. Idenstam for Choir)
15. Allt vid den ljusa stjärnan (Arr. G. Idenstam for Voice & Choir)
16. Julottan (Arr. G. Idenstam for Violin & Organ)
17. Från himlens höjd (Arr. G. Idenstam for Violin, Choir & Organ)