Rikard From – Nu tändas tusen juleljus: A Swedish Piano Hymn for the Festival of Light

In the deep midwinter of Scandinavia, light is not just a convenience; it is a religion. As the sun barely rises above the horizon and the snow blankets the forests of Sweden, the act of lighting a candle becomes a ritual of defiance against the darkness. This cultural reverence for light is perfectly encapsulated in the beloved hymn “Nu tändas tusen juleljus” (Now a Thousand Christmas Candles Are Lit).

With his latest release on Klangspot Nu Jazzical, Swedish pianist Rikard From revisits this sacred melody. He strips away the choir and the organ, presenting a solo piano interpretation that captures the intimacy, the silence, and the profound warmth of a Nordic Christmas. For listeners tired of the commercial noise of the holiday season, this track offers a return to the authentic, quiet heart of December.

The Cultural Weight of a Swedish Classic

To understand the emotional impact of this release, one must understand its origin. Written by Emmy Köhler in 1898, “Nu tändas tusen juleljus” is more than just a song in Sweden; it is a pillar of the national identity. It is sung in schools, homes, and churches, particularly during St. Lucia Day (December 13th), the festival of light.

Rikard From approaches this heritage with a delicate balance of respect and innovation. He treats the melody as a fragile heirloom. He doesn’t deconstruct it to the point of unrecognizability, but he doesn’t play it safely either. By translating a song traditionally sung by children’s choirs into a sophisticated piano instrumental, he matures the emotion. It shifts from innocent joy to a deeper, more reflective form of hope—the kind of hope that adults hold onto during difficult years.

The “Nu Jazzical” Approach: Reharmonizing Tradition

Rikard From is a master of the “Nu Jazzical” aesthetic—the intersection where the structural beauty of classical music meets the harmonic freedom of jazz. In this arrangement, that fusion is subtle but powerful.

A traditional performance of this hymn usually relies on simple major chords (Tonic, Subdominant, Dominant). From, however, colors inside the lines with a richer palette.

• Jazz Voicings: Listen closely to the left hand. You will hear extended chords—major 7ths and added 9ths—that replace the simple triads. These extra notes add a layer of “wistfulness.” They create a tension that pulls at the heartstrings, suggesting that the light of the candles is precious precisely because the surrounding darkness is so deep.

• The Use of Rubato: In a choir, everyone must sing in time. As a solo pianist, From uses Rubato (stolen time). He stretches the phrases, lingering on the top notes of the melody before cascading down. This mimics the flickering of a flame—it isn’t robotic or steady; it moves with the air in the room. This organic timing makes the recording feel like a living, breathing entity.

Production Secrets: The Acoustics of “Warmth”

From an audio engineering standpoint, capturing the feeling of “candlelight” is a specific challenge. A bright, poppy piano sound would ruin the atmosphere. The production team at Klangspot has instead opted for a sound design that emphasizes softness and proximity.

The Physics of the “Felt” Sound

The recording likely utilizes a Felt Piano technique. By engaging the moderator rail (a strip of felt between the hammers and strings), the physics of the sound wave changes.

• High-Frequency Roll-Off: The felt absorbs the sharp “attack” of the hammer. This drastically reduces the frequencies above 5kHz. Why does this matter? Psychoacoustically, high frequencies are often perceived as “cold” or “alert.” By muting them, the piano produces a sound dominated by the fundamental frequencies and the lower harmonics. This creates a “warm” tone that physically relaxes the listener’s eardrum.

• ADSR Manipulation: In synthesis terms, the felt affects the ADSR envelope (Attack, Decay, Sustain, Release). The “Attack” becomes slower and softer. This sonic shape mimics the visual of a candle flame—it has soft edges, not the harsh, instant-on glare of an LED bulb.

Capturing the Room

Unlike many modern Christmas releases that are drenched in artificial “cathedral” reverb, “Nu tändas tusen juleljus” sounds intimate. The microphones were likely placed very close to the soundboard.

• Mechanical Artifacts: You can hear the wooden mechanics of the piano shifting. You can hear the damper pedal lifting. These “noises” ground the track in reality. They transport the listener not to a grand concert hall, but to a cozy wooden living room in Northern Sweden, sitting by the fire while Rikard plays in the corner.

The Antidote to “Jingle Bell” Fatigue

The modern Christmas season is an assault on the senses. It is loud, bright, and frantic. There is a growing movement of listeners seeking “Slow Christmas” music—soundtracks that allow for decompression rather than stimulation.

Rikard From’s track is engineered for this purpose.

• Parasympathetic Activation: The tempo is slow and steady. The lack of sudden dynamic spikes prevents the “startle response.” It encourages the body to shift into a “rest and digest” state.

• Nostalgia without Kitsch: Because it is an instrumental, it avoids the cheesy lyrics that often plague holiday pop. It taps into the pure emotion of the melody, triggering nostalgia (the memory of holidays past) without the commercial baggage.

Context: The Wishful Album

“Nu tändas tusen juleljus” is a highlight of Rikard From’s broader holiday project, the album “Wishful.” This collection establishes him as a unique voice in the crowded holiday music market. He isn’t trying to write the next radio hit; he is trying to write the soundtrack for the quiet moments between the parties.

By combining his Nordic heritage with his jazz education, he offers a perspective on Christmas that is distinctly Scandinavian: it acknowledges the cold, but embraces the warmth we create to survive it.

Conclusion: A Light in the Dark

“Nu tändas tusen juleljus” by Rikard From is more than a cover; it is a translation of light into sound. It captures the specific magic of a Swedish winter—the silence of the snow, the warmth of the hearth, and the resilience of the human spirit.

Whether you are celebrating St. Lucia, looking for music to accompany your Christmas Eve reading, or simply trying to find a moment of peace in a chaotic month, this track is a sanctuary. It invites you to light a candle, close your eyes, and let the gentle, sophisticated notes of the piano wash over you.