Nordic Sounds

Peter Dijkstra: The Swedish Radio Choir works at a great pace and demands the very highest quality, which makes it a great joy for me to work with this ensemble. All 32 singers not only have great solo capacities, they are also more than willing to make music together at a chamber music level. The a cappella tradition built up in the 1960s and 1970s by Eric Ericson, and nurtured later by many others, is still very tangible. Through this training over such a long period, a specific choral sound has been created (I like to call it the 'Nordic sound'), which, thanks to enormous exactness in the intonation, is highly transparent and sonorous.

There is also a tradition of collaboration with composers, who have had many opportunities to bring their ideas to fruition with the choir. One of the most important of these is Sven-David Sandström. When composing for choir Sandström (1942-) does not hold back in terms of expression or technical demands. This contributes towards a most emotional tonal language, to which the 'Nordic sound' of the Swedish Radio Choir is perfectly suited. Composer and choir have worked together for years, and Sandström has really become a house composer. Reason enough for Channel Classics' first 'Nordic Sound' issue to feature his music.