The Royal Swedish Orchestra at the Berwald Hall

The Royal Swedish Orchetra is Sweden’s oldest orchestra, formed in 1526. Since the founding of the Royal Swedish Opera in 1773, the Court Chamber has been attached to this institution, and alternates performances of operas and ballets with instrumental concerts. Now the orchestra is visiting the Berwald Hall with two magnificent works, one from the early days of the romantic era and one from its last days: Franz Schubert’s Symphony No. 9, composed in 1824–1826, and Kurt Atterberg’s cello concerto, composed in 1917–1922. The soloist is Kati Raitinen, principal cellist in the Royal Swedish Orchestra and a frequent performer of chamber music, and the conductor is none other than Susanna Mälkki, one of Finland’s many international stars. Like Atterberg, Mälkki started her musical career as a cellist.