Skokloster Castle 1660sA 17th century Christmas carol stolen by Swedish troops premieres in Stockholm.
A unique Polish Christmas carol, the lyrics of which were looted by Swedish soldiers when they invaded Poland in 1655, will have a premiere at a concert in Stockholm this December.
The lyrics lay forgotten in a chest in the Skokloster Castle, near the Swedish capital, for almost 350 years. The idea to bring it back to life came from Joanna Janasz, a moving spirit of many cultural events organized in the community of Poles living in Sweden.
“I heard at a lecture delivered by Professor Ewa Teodorowicz-Hellman that a heretofore unknown Polish Christmas carol was discovered among Polish prints and books found recently. I though at once that this miracle has to be presented to the public”, says Janasz.
The lyrics, written in old Polish language, required modernization to be understood by contemporary Poles and the task was undertaken by poet Dana Rechowicz.
Music was written by Zbigniew Bizon, a Polish musician, composer, who emigrated to widen in the 1970s. He told thenews.pl it was exciting but not easy to compose music which would suit this old octosyllabic verse. “I opted for simple, folk style music and hope I did a good job”.
The re-discovered 17th century Polish Christmas carol will be sang for the first time by Teresa Tutinas, a Polish singer resident in Sweden, at a concert on December 5. Its lyrics were written by Jan and Krzysztof Denhoff, who were students at that time at Vilnius Academy. (kk)