Pettersson's seventh symphony

Allan Pettersson’s Symphony No. 7 was a hit at its world premiere in 1968 at Konserthuset Stockholm, and it proved to be Pettersson’s major breakthrough. Pettersson himself said it was unnecessary to interpret elements of his impoverished childhood or unstable health in the music, because everything he wanted to say was included in it.

Many listeners have described hearing Symphony No. 7 as a moving experience. The single-movement symphony takes us through biting storms and electrifying breathlessness, leading ultimately to the soothing, endlessly beautiful and ethereal final minutes.

The Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra’s previous chief conductor, now Conductor Laureate, Alan Gilbert returns for the majestic seventh symphony, which he conducted with great success in 2008 at Konserthuset.