Short version
The Gustaf Sjökvist Chamber Choir is an independent ensemble based in Stockholm. Established in 1994 by the renowned conductor and church musician Gustaf Sjökvist, the choir has earned its place as a cornerstone of the Swedish choral scene.
Comprising 32 dedicated singers, the ensemble is defined by a profound passion for a cappella music and a steadfast commitment to the contemporary repertoire. Their artistic journey is marked by close partnerships with distinguished Swedish composers, including Sven-David Sandström, Karin Rehnqvist and Matthew Peterson, resulting in an extensive catalog of premieres.
Through frequent collaborations with orchestras, artists, and festivals, the choir maintains a vibrant presence both in Sweden and abroad, performing over 20 concerts annually. Since 2018, the ensemble has flourished under the artistic leadership of Florian Benfer.
Long version
The Gustaf Sjökvist Chamber Choir is an independent ensemble based in Stockholm. Established in 1994 by the renowned conductor and church musician Gustaf Sjökvist, the choir has earned its place as a cornerstone of the Swedish choral scene. Comprising 32 dedicated singers, the ensemble is defined by a profound passion for choral music and a steadfast commitment to the contemporary repertoire.
Alongside well-loved masterworks such as Bach’s Mass in B Minor, Mozart’s Requiem and Brahms’ Ein deutsches Requiem, the choir has become particularly well known for its performances of contemporary a cappella music. Its repertoire includes works by leading composers such as Anna Cederberg-Orreteg, Lars Edlund, Nana Forte, Thomas Jennefelt, Matthew Peterson, Karin Rehnqvist, Georg Riedel, Jan Sandström, Sven-David Sandström, Andrea Tarrodi and Carl Unander-Scharin. The ensemble also explores jazz and other genres in creative collaborations.
GSKKhas collaborated with many renowned artists, and numerous recordings testify to the wide range and diversity of joint projects. GSKK has toured with artists and ensembles such as Barbara Hendricks and The Real Group, and recorded with soloists including Edita Gruberova, Håkan Hagegård, Jan Lundgren and Nils Lindberg. In 2010, the choir sang at the wedding of Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel in Stockholm’s Storkyrkan, performing several works commissioned especially for the occasion.
GSKK has given concerts throughout Europe, the USA, Morocco, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Vietnam. Festivals at which the choir has been a guest at include the Taipei International Choral Festival, Ystad Jazz Festival, Lund Choral Festival and Festival d’Aix-en-Provence.
After Gustaf Sjökvist’s passing in 2015, the choir continued its musical journey. Since 2018, Florian Benfer has served as the choir’s artistic director and conductor, bringing his experience with leading European ensembles to the group’s artistic growth. Today Gustaf Sjökvist Chamber Choir remains a vibrant force in Swedish choral music, blending a strong regard for tradition with a lively engagement in contemporary repertoire — appealing to new listeners everywhere.