Polish Folk Music: A Youtube Playlist
Contents
A collection of some of the best Polish folk music I could find on YouTube.
What is Polish Folk Music?
Polish folk music has been practiced since the early Middle Ages. The music is closely related to the music of other Slavic countries, especially Czech and Slovak folk music. Polish folk music has also been influenced by Hungarian, German, Swedish, and Danish folk music.
The most important instrument in Polish Folk Music is the accordion. Other instruments include the violin, flute, bagpipes, drums, and cymbals. The music is often very fast-paced and lively.
Polish folk music is an important part of the country’s culture. The music is often used for traditional dances, such as the polka and mazurka. It is also sometimes used for contemporary dances, such as the hip-hop influenced “breakdance.”
Where does it come from?
Polish folk music has been collected and studied since the 19th century by Polish composer, Oskar Kolberg. Folk music refers to the music typically performed by subsistence farmers and rural peoples from all over Poland. The songs were usually passed down orally from generation to generation, and usually did not make it into written form until they were collected by scholars like Kolberg. Themes in Polish folk music are often related to rural life, love, loss, and religious holidays.
The region of Poland called Mazuria is particularly well-known for its folk music tradition. Mazurian musicians use a wide range of instruments, including violins, flutes, bagpipes, drums, and accordions. Folk dances from this region include the krakowiak, mazurek dąbrowskiego, mazurek kaliski, oberek wielkopolski, and polonez mazowiecki.
In recent years there has been a resurgence of interest in Polish folk music, both within Poland and among the Polish diaspora around the world. Many contemporary Polish musicians have been incorporating traditional folk elements into their work in order to create a unique sound that speaks to both Poles past and present.
What are the characteristics of Polish Folk Music?
Polish folk music has a distinctive character that reflects its geography and history. Many of the country’s traditional songs and dances have their roots in the fields and forests, where they were originally danced and sung by rural workers.
Polish folk music is sometimes fast and spirited, other times slow and melancholic. It often features simple, catchy melodies played on traditional instruments such as the accordion, fiddle, flute, or drums. The music often tells stories of love, loss, and wartime experiences.
If you’re interested in learning more about Polish folk music, check out this YouTube playlist featuring some of the country’s most popular folk songs:
What are some of the most popular Polish Folk Songs?
Poland is a country with a rich musical tradition. Folk music is an important part of that tradition, and has been since the very earliest days. There are many different kinds of Polish folk songs, from simple ballads to complex dances. Some of the most popular Polish folk songs include:
“Bogurodzica” – This is one of the oldest and most popular Polish folk songs. It dates back to the 14th century, and was originally sung by soldiers going into battle.
“Ojczyzna moja” – This patriotic song celebrates Poland and its people. It was written in the 19th century, and is still sung today.
“Dumka na dwa serca” – This sad song is about a young woman who is in love with two men at the same time. She doesn’t know who to choose, and eventually dies of a broken heart.
“Hej,bystra woda” – This lively song is about a young man who falls in love with a girl who lives by a river. He tries to woo her with his singing, but she rejects him.
Youtube Playlist of Polish Folk Music
Polish folk music has been known to outsiders for several centuries. After World War II, a number of important ethnographic field recordings were made in Poland by researchers from the West. These have been reissued on CD by companies such as Muzeum Narodowe we Wrocławiu and GAD Records, and some are available on YouTube.
The following is a YouTube playlist of Polish folk music compiled by the Ethnomusicology Division of the Library of Congress. It includes selections from various regions of Poland, performed by instrumental ensembles and soloists, male vocalists, and female vocalists.
