A Swedish Celebration

Join the Swedish Gustaf Sjökvist Chamber Choir, conducted by its artistic director Florian Benfer, on a musical journey through the world of Swedish choral music – from the late 20th century to the present day. Colourful works by living composers unfold an exciting interplay between tradition and modernity. Arrangements of the folk song Kristallen den fina by Gunnar Eriksson and Arne Lundmark provide the musical framework for a multifaceted programme of sacred and secular a cappella works, in which text and music form a particularly close bond.

Just how powerful this connection can be is demonstrated by Agneta Sköld’s striking description of her composition: “When I read Harry Martinson’s poem ‘Där blåklinten slog en bro’, the image of a shimmering, hot summer’s day arose in my mind’s eye. Childhood memories were awakened – blue cornflowers in yellow fields, a feeling of contentment, everything still. And amidst this heat, another passion between two lovers.”

In the second part of the concert, the space opens up to a vast soundscape: together with the MDR Symphony Orchestra and organist Leon Tscholl, the chamber choir performs the award-winning The Sanctuary Mass by the American-Swedish composer Matthew Peterson – a work of rhythmic power and radiant sonic beauty.