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 passed30 AprilSchumann's Spring SymphonyNature 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.Read more
- Few seats remaining7, 8 & 10 May130 - 475 krCarmina BuranaCarl 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.Read more & tickets
- Few seats remaining9 May130 - 475 krCarmina Burana & Emmy Lindström’s RösaringCarl Orff’s iconic cantata Carmina Burana and world premiere for Emmy Lindström’s Rösaring – Concert for Orchestra.Read more & tickets
- 6 september275 krCalligrammes – the Swedish Radio choir meets Krista AudereGroundbreaking technique and French surrealism are on the program when Krista Audere makes her debut as Principal guest conductor of the Swedish Radio Choir.Read more & tickets
- Few seats remaining10 September450 krVOCES8 feat. RadiokörenThe 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!Read more & tickets
- Few seats remaining4 October275 krThe Swedish Radio Choir celebrates 100 yearsOne of the world's foremost choirs celebrates its first century with a sparkling anniversary concert.Read more & tickets
- 5–6 December170 - 560 krSalonen, Jansen & Ligeti's RequiemPart 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.Read more & tickets