The Swedish Radio Choir biography

For nearly 100 years, the Swedish Radio Choir has paved the way for the development of the Swedish choral tradition and has been a role model for choirs worldwide. The choir consists of 32 professional singers who together form a unique and dynamic instrument, praised by music lovers and critics around the world, as well as by conductors and composers who explore and challenge the choir's potential.

The Swedish Radio Choir meets its audience on its home stage in Berwaldhallen, the concert hall of Swedish Radio, as well as in concert halls around the country and on tours worldwide. Additionally, they reach millions of listeners on Swedish Radio P2, on Berwaldhallen Play, and internationally through the EBU.

Under the leadership of…

Since 2020, the Swedish Radio Choir's chief conductor has been the multi-award-winning Latvian choral conductor Kaspars Putniņš. Two of the choir's former chief conductors, Tõnu Kaljuste and Peter Dijkstra, were appointed the choir's first honorary conductors in 2019. Since January 2019, the French orchestra and choral conductor Marc Korovitch has been the choir master of the Swedish Radio Choir, responsible for the ensemble's vocal development.

Bold Repertoire

The Swedish Radio Choir is known for its multifaceted repertoire, ranging from classical choral works to groundbreaking new vocal music. The choir has always been an important part of Swedish Radio's cultural activities: it was formed in 1925, the same year the radio began its broadcasts, and gave its first concert in May that year. In 2010, the Swedish Radio Choir was awarded the Government's Honorary Prize at the Music Export Prize ceremony for having 'put Swedish choral music on the map for more than half a century.'

Live and on Record

The choir's extensive catalog of recordings includes many critically acclaimed and award-winning recordings. In the fall of 2023, Kaspars Putniņš released his first album with the Swedish Radio Choir: Robert Schumann's Missa sacra, recorded with organist Johan Hammarström. The Swedish Radio Choir regularly tours both domestically and internationally. In celebration of the choir's centenary in 2025, they have made several guest appearances around Sweden, including in Växjö Cathedral, Allhelgonakyrkan in Lund, Studio Acusticum in Piteå, and Kiruna Church."

  • The Choir and Eric Erison

    Eric Ericson became the chief conductor of the Swedish Radio Choir in 1952. His leadership quickly brought success, and it wasn't long before the choir gained recognition across Europe and the world.

The Swedish Radio Choir is a shining star in the international choral world, a golden example of what a professional choir should be: a beautiful choral sound; great flexibility and skill in various musical styles; and, in addition, a unique tailored repertoire, developed in close collaboration with composers from the Nordic countries.
– Kaspars Putniņš, chief conductor

Upcoming Concerts with The Choir

  • Date has passed
    30 April

    Schumann's Spring Symphony

    Nature takes center stage when Magnus Fryklund leads the Swedish Radio Choir and the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra in a romantic spring program imbued with the transformative power of poetry.
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  • Few seats remaining
    7, 8 & 10 May
    130 - 475 kr

    Carmina Burana

    Carl Orff’s iconic cantata Carmina Burana with the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, the Swedish Radio Choir and soloists Karolina Bengtsson, Tobias Westman, and David Risberg conducted by Yi-Chen Lin.
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  • Few seats remaining
    9 May
    130 - 475 kr

    Carmina Burana & Emmy Lindström’s Rösaring

    Carl Orff’s iconic cantata Carmina Burana and world premiere for Emmy Lindström’s Rösaring – Concert for Orchestra.
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  • 6 september
    275 kr

    Calligrammes – the Swedish Radio choir meets Krista Audere

    Groundbreaking technique and French surrealism are on the program when Krista Audere makes her debut as Principal guest conductor of the Swedish Radio Choir.
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  • Few seats remaining
    10 September
    450 kr

    VOCES8 feat. Radiokören

    The Grammy-nominated VOCES8 is the world’s top streaming classical vocal group. Touring extensively, the group performs repertoire from Renaissance polyphony to contemporary commissions and arrangements. The Swedish Radio Choir joins for some real choral classics!
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  • Few seats remaining
    4 October
    275 kr

    The Swedish Radio Choir celebrates 100 years

    One of the world's foremost choirs celebrates its first century with a sparkling anniversary concert.
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  • 5–6 December
    170 - 560 kr

    Salonen, Jansen & Ligeti's Requiem

    Part three of Esa-Pekka Salonen's residency with the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, the Swedish Radio Choir, Eric Ericson Chamber Choir. Janine Jansen, Malena Ernman and Jennifer France.
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