Elim Chan conducts

Since 2016, Elim Chan has been chief conductor of Norrlandsoperan and this is her debut with the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra. She grew up in Hong Kong and has previously served as assistant conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra.

We will hear British composer Anna Clyne’s dancing and darkly oppressive This Midnight Hour, inspired by the poetry of Spanish Juan Ramón Jiménez and French Charles Baudelaire, whose poetry collection Les fleurs du mal (The Flowers of Evil) is one of the most significant and influential collections of poetry ever published. Some parts were censored in French editions well into the twentieth century. 

There is also a story behind Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4, which is about his feelings after a short and catastrophic marriage to Antonina Miliukova. To the wealthy Nadezhda von Meck, who eventually became one of his patrons, he wrote: “The introduction has a theme in the brass section that recurs several times throughout the symphony. It is the core, the primary thought of the entire symphony. Like an annihilating power standing in the way of happiness.” Still, joy is not lost. Of the finale, he writes that there is still happiness, simple, naive happiness.  “Deriving happiness from others allows one to live longer.” This is also reflected in the effervescent and exhilarated music.

Konserthuset Play – Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 6!
In Tchaikovsky’s sixth and final symphony, we hear light and passion, as well as concern and uncertainty. The Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra plays under the leadership of Chief Conductor and Artistic Advisor Sakari Oramo. Listen

Konserthuset Play – Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 5!
Conductor Peter Oundjian and the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra highlight the tenderness and majesty of Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony. This powerful music is loaded with romantic fervour. Listen