A nude saxophone player surprised four similarly dressed violinists in northwestern Sweden to claim victory as the year’s best incarnation of a water fairy, a mythical creature from ancient Swedish folklore.
The winning performance by Martin Norberg marked the first time in the 15-year history of the Årets Näck (‘Water Fairy of the Year’) competition that a saxophonist, or a musician playing anything other than a violin, had taken top honours.

The mesmerizing horn player almost missed the competition altogether, however, making his victory all the more unexpected.

“He just showed up a couple of hours before the competition and asked if he was allowed to play a saxophone,” contest arranger Calle Hernmarck told The Local.

According to legend, a water fairy is a supernatural being that takes the form of a naked man playing the violin on the shores of Swedish lakes and streams...