On March 21, a special concert, “Baroque in Yellow and Blue – a Swedish-Ukrainian music weave”, took place at the German Church in Stockholm. The concert introduced the audience to 17th-century Ukrainian polyphony, combined with Baroque dances from Sweden’s Düben collection.
The event was part of the 2025 Early Music Day celebrations. The Kyiv vocal ensemble PARTES performed alongside the renowned harpsichordist Mariangiola Martello, at the invitation of festival director Peter Pontvik. The excellent acoustics of the German Church added extra richness and depth to the performance.
The program focused on the works of Mykola Dyletsky, a key figure in Ukrainian Baroque music who had a significant influence on the development of Eastern European music. His compositions were performed alongside works by Gustav Düben, a famous Swedish organist and kapellmeister known for his valuable collection of European musical manuscripts. This blend of musical traditions created a meaningful dialogue between the two cultures, delivering a strong message of harmony and peace.
“Mykola Dyletsky founded a school that produced many notable composers at the end of the 17th and early 18th centuries”, said Andrii Plakhotniuk, Ambassador of Ukraine to Sweden. “He represents the rich cultural identity of Ukrainian heritage through a strong polyphonic tradition that blends European Renaissance and Baroque influences with distinctive Slavic elements”. He also noted that Ukrainian Baroque remains largely overlooked, even among classical music enthusiasts, despite its significant role in European musical history.
“Ukraine was a vital part of the European cultural scene during the Baroque era, and the part-song concerts of that time are a powerful testament to our shared musical language. We are committed to sharing our cultural heritage with the world and emphasizing that Ukraine is an integral part of Europe’s cultural future”, added Galyna Grygorenko.
The event was made possible through the collaboration of the Stockholm Early Music Festival and the Embassy of Ukraine in Stockholm, with support from Christian Schoenberger, former Ambassador of Switzerland to Ukraine and Sweden, and Maria Söderberg, president of the Torsten Söderberg Foundation. This partnership brought together Baroque music enthusiasts and those dedicated to fostering cultural exchange between Ukraine and Sweden, creating a memorable evening for all involved.
