A Brief History of Swedish Folk Music

A look at the origins and history of Swedish folk music, from the medieval era to the present day.

Swedish folk music – a brief history

Swedish folk music has its roots in the music of the Swedish people, who are descendents of the Germanic tribes that settled in Scandinavia in the first centuries CE. The earliest known examples of Swedish folk music are medieval ballads, iflokker songs sung by peasants as they worked in the fields. These songs were passed down from generation to generation, and by the late Middle Ages, they had become an important part of Swedish culture.

During the Renaissance, a new type of Swedish folk music began to emerge: the polska. polska was a quick, lively dance from Poland that became very popular in Sweden. Many of the polskas written during this time were based on ancient folk tunes, and they remain some of the most popular Swedish folk songs today.

In the 18th century, another wave of Germanic immigrants came to Sweden: the Hessians. The Hessians brought with them a love for fast-paced dance music, and this quickly became incorporated into Swedish folk music. One of the most popular Hessian dances was the schottische, which is still danced at traditional Swedish festivities today.

As Sweden began to industrialize in the 19th century, its folk music began to change. Influenced by both rural and urban traditions, as well as by foreign styles like tango and jazz, Swedish folk music developed into a unique synthesis of various musical genres. This new style of Swedish folk music was often performed by traveling ensembles known as “spelmanslag,” which popularized Folk Music throughout Sweden.

Today, Swedish Folk Music is enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds, and it remains an important part of Swedish culture.

The origins of Swedish folk music

Swedish folk music has its roots in the music of the Swedish people, who are descendants of the Germanic tribes that inhabited Scandinavia during the Viking Age. The first Swedish folk music can be traced back to the early 13th century, when written records began to be kept of the music of the Swedish church.

The oldest surviving Swedish folk song is “Riddarhusdrängen” (“The Knight’s Companion”), which was composed in the early 14th century. By the late 15th century, Sweden had developed a distinctive style of folk music, which was characterized by its use of bowed instruments and harmonization in thirds.

During the 16th century, Sweden was divided into a number of small kingdoms, each with its own court and musical tradition. As a result, Swedish folk music became increasingly diverse, with regional styles developing in different parts of the country. In addition to courtly music, there was also a tradition of lower-class street musicians, known as “spelmans”, who performed for both money and alcohol.

The 18th century saw a decline in interest in folk music among the Swedish upper class, but it continued to be popular among the common people. In response to this decline, a number of organizations were founded in the 19th century with the aim of preserving and promoting Swedish folk music. One of these was “Det svenska fältläger”, which held an annual festival where traditional musicians could perform and teach their craft to new generations.

Det svenska fältläger continued to be held until 1949, when it was replaced by Folkens Hus (now known as Folkhuset), which remains one of Sweden’s most important centers for folk music today.

The influence of Swedish folk music

Swedish folk music has been around for centuries and has been an important part of the country’s cultural heritage. The earliest known examples of Swedish folk music date back to the 13th century, when Ballad-singing was popular among the peasantry. By the 16th century, instrumental dance music had become well-established, and by the 17th century, lyric poetry was being used to express personal emotions.

During the 18th century, Swedish folk music underwent a significant change as a result of foreign influences, particularly from Germany and France. This led to the development of new musical genres such as the polska and waltz. In the 19th century, Swedish composers began to incorporate elements of Swedish folk music into their work, and by the early 20th century, a distinctive Swedish sound had emerged.

Today, Swedish folk music is still performed and enjoyed by many people both in Sweden and abroad. It continues to evolve as new generations of musicians bring their own creative vision to the genre.

The popularity of Swedish folk music

Swedish folk music is a genre that emerged in the early 19th century as part of the Swedish Romanticism movement. The popularity of Swedish folk music saw a decline in the early 20th century, but experienced a resurgence in the 1960s and 1970s with artists like Bob Dylan and Simon & Garfunkel popularizing the genre. Today, Swedish folk music is enjoyed by people of all ages and has been influenced by a variety of other genres, including jazz and rock.

The instruments of Swedish folk music

While there are many different instruments used in Swedish folk music, some of the most common are the fiddle, accordion, and nyckelharpa. The fiddle, or violin, is by far the most popular choice among Swedish folk musicians, and has been played in the country since the 16th century. The accordion arrived in Sweden in 1827 and quickly gained popularity due to its portability and versatility. The nyckelharpa (literally “keyed fiddle”) is a traditional Swedish instrument that dates back to the Middle Ages. It has a unique sound that is produced by a bow being played over a set of strings while a set of keys pressed with the left hand alters the pitch of those strings.

The styles of Swedish folk music

Swedish folk music has been around for centuries, with its roots in the work songs and ballads of the Swedish people. The music is typically rural in nature, with a focus on the daily lives and experiences of the people. Over time, various styles of Swedish folk music have developed, each with its own characteristic sound and feeling.

The oldest and most traditional style of Swedish folk music is the so-called “kulning” singing, which was used by herders to call their cows back home. This style is still sometimes used today, particularly in more rural areas. Other traditional styles include “spelman” music, which was played by traveling musicians, and “gammaldans” music, which was danced to by couples at weddings and other celebrations.

In more recent years, Swedish folk music has been influenced by a variety of different genres and styles, both from within Sweden and from other parts of the world. Many Swedish folk musicians have experimented with incorporating elements of jazz, rock, and even hip hop into their sound. This has led to a more modern style of Swedish folk music that still retains the traditional roots of the genre.

The lyrics of Swedish folk music

Swedish folk music has its roots in the music of the Swedish people, who are unique among the Nordic countries in that they have their own distinct musical tradition. Swedish folk music is characterized by a love of nature and simplicity, and is often reflective and introspective. The lyrics of Swedish folk music often reflect the lives of the people who sang them, and they often deal with themes of love, loss, and nostalgia.

The performers of Swedish folk music

Generally, folk music is performed by people who share a common culture or tradition. In Sweden, the performers of folk music include both professional and amateur musicians. Professional musicians often play at concerts and festivals, while amateurs typically play for personal enjoyment or for social gatherings.

The majority of Swedish folk music is vocal, though instrumental folk music is also practiced. The most common instruments used in Swedish folk music are the fiddle, accordion, and nyckelharpa (a traditional Swedish string instrument). Folk music in Sweden often features simple melodic lines and traditional lyrics that tell stories of love, loss, and other topics relevant to the human experience.

Swedish folk music has its roots in the medieval era, though it has undergone many changes over the centuries. In the early 20th century, Swedish composer Jan Hammarström helped to revitalize interest in traditional folk music with his arrangement of popular folk songs for concert performance. Today, Swedish folk music continues to evolve as new performers bring their own interpretation and style to the genre.

The recordings of Swedish folk music

In the early years of the 20th century, a number of important field recordings were made of Swedish folk music. These were undertaken by folklorists working for the state-sponsored Swedish Museum of National Antiquities (now the Nordic Museum) and the National annals (now the Swedish National Archives). The intention was to preserve a record of Sweden’s musical heritage, which was thought to be under threat from urbanization and other modernizing forces.

The most important early fieldworker was Hjalmar Lundbohm, who made around 700 recordings between 1903 and 1909. Among the musicians he documented were fiddlers Anders Larsson (from Ådalen in central Sweden) and Jonatan Svedberg (from Dalarna in the west), as well as nyckelharpa player Olof Jonsson (from Småland in the south). These recordings provide an invaluable source of information about the music played in different parts of Sweden at that time.

Other important fieldworkers included Lorens Bergqvist, who recorded musicians in Västergötland in southwestern Sweden; Viktor Klockares, who worked in Dalarna; and Carl Sahlin, who recorded performers from various parts of southern Sweden. In all, around 2,000 recordings were made between 1903 and 1939, providing a rich source of information about Swedish folk music at a time when it was undergoing major changes.

The future of Swedish folk music

Though it has undergone many changes over the centuries, Swedish folk music is still very popular in Sweden today. Many young people are taking an interest in traditional Swedish folk music and are keeping the traditions alive.

There are many different types of Swedish folk music, from the lively polska to the more mellow waltz. There is also a wide range of instrumentation used in Swedish folk music, from the traditional fiddle and nyckelharpa to more modern instruments like the guitar and accordion.

Despite its long history, Swedish folk music is still evolving. New genres and subgenres are constantly being created, and traditional songs are being given new arrangements. This ensures that Swedish folk music will continue to be popular for many years to come.