New Years Eve 2025: En gång i Stockholm (Once Upon a Time in Stockholm)

This song was Sweden's entry into the 1963 Eurovision song contest, featuring jazz singer Monica Zetterlund and chamber orchestra (not a synth-pop hit in sight!). Sweden came in last that year. When asked about it, Zetterlund retorted "Jag skulle vilja förlora med kvalitet än vinna med skräp" (I'd rather lose with quality than win with trash. ). I listened to this song many, many times when it was given to me to play at the "Jazz på Bio Aspen" series in Stockholm, and I made this solo violin version for my PhD defense concert two years ago. Its a beautiful, surrealist dream of a sailboat of snow sailing through the winter city ... lovely. Happy New Year from Stockholm!