Elisabet Wentz-Janacek facts for kids

Elisabet Wentz-Janacek (born August 20, 1923 – died 2014) was a very talented Swedish woman. She was a writer, a composer, a music expert, an organ player, and a teacher. She is best known for her amazing work with Swedish hymns. She mapped out 20,000 different ways these hymns were sung! She also helped create the Swedish Choral Registrar. Elisabet was born in Stockholm, Sweden. She studied at Lund University and later received a special honorary degree from there.

Who Was Elisabet Wentz-Janacek?

Elisabet Wentz-Janacek was a musicologist. This means she was a scholar who studied music deeply. She spent a lot of time researching and understanding Swedish hymns. Hymns are religious songs often sung in churches.

Her Big Project: Mapping Hymns

One of her most important projects was mapping 20,000 different ways Swedish hymns were sung. Imagine how many variations there can be for a single song! This huge collection of melodies is called the Swedish Choral Registrar. It helps people understand the history and changes in Swedish church music.

Her Writings and Research

Elisabet also wrote many books and articles about music. She wrote a biography about a musician named John Enninger. A biography is a book about someone's life. She also wrote for music magazines. She even helped write a book about Nathan Söderblom, a famous Swedish clergyman and Nobel Prize winner. Nathan Söderblom was a friend of her father.

Her published works include:

• John Enninger: Spelman, Kongl., Kammarmusikus, Klockare (This book is only available in Swedish.)
• Articles about folk songs and new songs in southern Sweden.
• Writings about music from other countries in the Workbook for the Evangelical Hymnbook.
• Articles about the Swedish Choral Registrar.

Elisabet's Musical Compositions

Elisabet Wentz-Janacek was also a composer. This means she wrote her own music. She played the organ and directed the children's choir at Lund Cathedral. Her music was published by different companies.

Organ Music

She wrote music for the organ, which is a very large musical instrument often found in churches.

• She arranged many Scandinavian melodies for the organ.
• Marsch ur Svit i folklig stil (This means "March from Suite in Folk Style").
• Partita on "Then Som Frisker aer Och Sund"
• Partita on "Veni Creator Spiritus"

Vocal Music

Elisabet also composed music for voices, including choirs and solo singers.

• Chorale 106
• Easter Music
• Folk songs arranged for children's choir and recorders.
• Many hymns.
• "Ja, Jag Vill Sjunga" (This means "Yes, I Want to Sing").
• "Nu Vilar Hela Jorden" (This means "Now the Whole Earth is Resting." It was based on a work by John Enninger).
• "Satt en Ring Paa Hans Hand" (This means "Put a Ring on His Hand").
• Tvaa Skaanska Koraler (This means "Two Scandinavian Chorales").
• "Tystnad, Ljus" (This means "Silence, Light").