Find articles | Sofia Nyblom

Quickness, spirituality and a strong desire to break away from the confines of earthly existence are the main themes of Virpi Pakhinen’s new ensemble piece, Volto Subito.

He is Sweden’s internationally most frequently performed composer: Anders Hillborg, whose creative orchestral scores have ignited the foremost orchestras and concert halls on the globe. 

Norwegian Isa Katharina Gericke seized on the opportunity of building a programme around Kirsten Flagstad’s lieder repertoire to present an enjoyable recital at Stockholm’s Allhelgonakyrkan, together with pianist Bengt Forsberg. However, fine musicianship from this perfect team, and the exuberant charisma of this charming singer couldn’t remedy the fact that many of the songs lack substance.

New York-based string quartet Brooklyn Rider epitomizes the new movement within classical music which advocates ‘unfettered’ performances and a contemporarly look, and has built a following on this image. 

An evening of two dance world premières, and one Swedish première, by top international names by the Swedish Royal Ballet. Starting with the elegance of William Forsythe, followed by a horrific scene by Chrystal Pite and culminating in the cool gaga-dancing in Sharon Eyals Bill, this is an evening of contrasts.

La Juive, Fromental Halévy's grand opéra, makes a powerful return to Gothenburg, the same city where it received its Swedish première 150 years ago, in Günther Krämer’s stark staging. 

Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui and Saburo Teshigawara present a double-bill under the heading Spirit. At the Gothenburg Opera. The evening promises high quality, yet harbors the danger that the level of abstraction which permeates the two works might undermine the urgency of the message.

How do we handle the Christian heritage of art and music, such as J.S. Bach’s gripping passions and oratorios, in an increasingly secularized society? When Folkoperan in Stockholm take on the challenge of staging the St Matthew Passion, the result is a slightly sensationalist result, where the ensemble members take turns observing and commiserating with the suffering which we all go through.

In Ole Anders Tandberg’s staging of Don Giovanni at the Swedish Royal Opera, the Don seems to prefer making love at gunpoint, or in a public lavatory under the threat of discovery. 

What is the secret behind the “Swedish choral miracle”? Even though singing was always big in the country that produced an extraordinary number of vocal talents, including Jenny Lind and Birgit Nilsson, one person is generally credited with the popularity of this pastime: Eric Ericson.

With 4D, Moroccan choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui frames four duets on the theme of love and lust, derived from different works during his long career. Sofia Nyblom is initially seduced, but chokes on the stickyness of too much love-making. 

Sixty years after his debut with the Swedish Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, 87 year old Herbert Blomstedt conducted the orchestra in the very same programme in a sold out Stockholm Concert Hall. 

The Sami-Chinese Project may be interpreted as an artistic expression of the belief in the universal aspects of human experience. This production by TAO Dance Theatre with Sami artists marks the inauguration of Umeå Cultural Capital of Europe 2014. 

Expectations run high when two of the most brilliant Nordic choreographers première works on the same stage in ths double bill at the Swedish Royal Opera labeled The Emperor. Örjan Andersson and Jo Strömgren exceed expectation, combining sensuousness and aristocratic pride with political stringency. 

For 24 years, the festival of Dark Music Days has fuelled imagination with contemporary music, thanks to the initiative of the Icelandic Composer’s Union. And with the advent of a glamorous concert hall in the midst of crisis and bankruptcy, the glittering Harpa, the crowds have grown in numbers every year.