Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra

With a massive orchestra, boys' choir, girls' choir, and alto solo, Mahler paints vivid pictures in his Third Symphony. He himself described it as "something like never before: a symphony that depicts creation, from the insensitive stiff, purely elementary existence to the delicate creation of the human heart, which reaches beyond itself. It goes far, far beyond natural size, and in comparison, everything human shrinks."

In many ways, Gustav Mahler was a boundary-breaker with his "maximalist" symphonies. He both completed the symphonic tradition in the footsteps of Beethoven and set the course for the future. The dreamlike alto voice and the bright choirs in the fourth movement create a sense of fragility and tenderness. Here, the distinguished Scottish alto Beth Taylor participates. The symphony culminates in an emotional chorale that grows and sweeps everything along in a hymn to love.

Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra's chief conductor Ryan Bancroft leads the forces. He conducted Mahler's Fifth Symphony with the orchestra in the autumn of 2023. "The Third is definitely a challenge for any orchestra and conductor, but the music is also very direct: Mahler tells a story."

Read more about chief conductor Ryan Bancroft

Icelandic pianist Víkingur Ólafsson is one of the most acclaimed soloists in the classical music world. With his warm touch and passionate musicality, he attracts huge audiences. This season, he is the Artist-in-Residence at the Concert Hall.

Here, we get to meet him in Brahms's magnificent first piano concerto. He returns on two more occasions during the season, first in a recital where he plays Beethoven's last three piano sonatas, and then with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in Brahms's second piano concerto. For this first visit, it's Chief Conductor Ryan Bancroft who conducts.

The concert opens with Anders Hillborg's dazzlingly elegant Sound Atlas. The glass harmonica – an instrument where fingers are rubbed on tuned glass bells – plays a significant role in the piece, contributing to the music's crystalline character. Additionally, we hear music by the Welsh pioneer Grace Williams. Her Four Illustrations for the Legend of Rhiannon is based on ancient Welsh tales.

Read more about chief conductor Ryan Bancroft

Icelandic pianist Víkingur Ólafsson is one of the most acclaimed soloists in the classical music world. With his warm touch and passionate musicality, he attracts huge audiences. This season, he is the Artist-in-Residence at the Concert Hall.

Here, we get to meet him in Brahms's magnificent first piano concerto. He returns on two more occasions during the season, first in a recital where he plays Beethoven's last three piano sonatas, and then with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in Brahms's second piano concerto. For this first visit, it's Chief Conductor Ryan Bancroft who conducts.

The concert opens with Anders Hillborg's dazzlingly elegant Sound Atlas. The glass harmonica – an instrument where fingers are rubbed on tuned glass bells – plays a significant role in the piece, contributing to the music's crystalline character. Additionally, we hear music by the Welsh pioneer Grace Williams. Her Four Illustrations for the Legend of Rhiannon is based on ancient Welsh tales.

Read more about chief conductor Ryan Bancroft