Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra

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“The orchestra can call itself as one of the world’s best this evening, not only because the technical level is stunning, but because it demonstrates genuine character.”
(Die Welt)

Hailed as one of the “world’s best” due to their “stunning” technicality and demonstration of “genuine character” (Die Welt), the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra (RSPO) was founded in 1902 and Konserthuset Stockholm has been its home since 1926. The RSPO gives around 100 concerts annually, and the Orchestra also participates in the festivities associated with the Nobel Prize Award Ceremony and the presentation of the Polar Music Prize.

Regular guest conductors include notable names such as Riccardo Muti, Andris Nelsons, Franz Welser-Möst, Herbert Blomstedt, Nathalie Stutzmann, Gianandrea Noseda and Conductor Laureate Alan Gilbert.

Sakari Oramo has been Chief Conductor and Artistic Director of the RSPO since 2008, with his run coming to an end in 2021. Sakari Oramo has carried out successful tours with the RSPO as well as receiving considerable attention for numerous recordings he has composed with the orchestra. Among them the Carl Nielsen’s symphonies (BBC Music Magazine Award 2016) and Swedish Grammy-awarded recordings of music by Anders Hillborg, as well as recordings with world-renowned American soprano Renée Fleming.

Ryan Bancroft has been appointed Chief Conductor of Royal Stockholm Philharmonic and will begin his tenure from 2023/24 season.

Sibelius 7. Oramo. Royal Stockholm Philharmonic © Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra

Petrushka © Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra

Berwalden trailer with Blomstedt © Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra

Schumann: Symphony No.3 Teaser Trailer © Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra

Video Trailer © Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra

“From intricate strumming and subtle percussion unfolded exciting sound of explosions. […]Everyone on the stage from the violinist in the back row, to the solo trumpeter, was part of one big whirl.”

(de Volkskrant)

“The orchestra mastered the sound culminations, the precise rhythms and the mixtures of musical colours in an excellent manner.”

(Kölnische Rundschau)

“The rich, dark sound of the orchestra, affected by a resilient weightiness, has its very own profile; without doubt, it is ideal for the violin concerto by Jean Sibelius. […]”

(Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger)

“The musicians from Stockholm played the [Mouvement symphonique No 2] dynamically more differentiated than one is used to.”

(Der Bund)

“By their applause the audience showed such great enthusiams that the Finish conductor Sakari Oramo and the soloist Patricia Kopatchinskaja […] played an encore together on their violins. … The fantastic RSPO and the outstanding soloist created a pleasurable and atmospheric beginning of spring.“

(European News Agency)

“Together with its chief conductor, the Finn Sakari Oramo, the orchestra presented nothing less than a musically finest hour. … The full sound of this orchestra is phenomenally compact, balanced the ability of each register, perfectly homogenous the sound of the strings- the latter thanks to the noticeably intense cooperation of the principals. Oramo conducted with a clear marking, subtly tarred the mixtures of sounds and was able to present the individual pieces also structurally very clear. Jean Sibelius’ demanding first Symphony in E Minor was completely rounded; under Oramo’s empathetic guidance the orchestra let the moving quality of the sound flow without hindrance. Despite the extremely passionate way of playing the score’s details have not been overseen; a surprising palette of moods and dynamic shading was experienceable, one could only be astonished at the easiness and accuracy of this interpretation.”

(Neue Züricher Zeitung)

“Sakari Oramo holds everything together, somehow. Brilliant how the Finish conductor and his orchestra accompany the soloist at eye level on her adventurous paths- alert, agile and also sometimes with pleasure of the doughty sound-thunder.”

(Berner Zeitung)

“The performances have an irresistible momentum. The opening movement of the Fourth, the Inextinguishable, is thrillingly urgent without ever sounding forced or rushed, and its slow movement grows naturally and inevitably to its apotheosis. The Fifth seems equally coherent; every facet of its tumultuous opening movement is carefully controlled and precisely paced, the second movement is joyously affirmative. In both symphonies the Stockholm orchestra responds wonderfully too.”

(Andrew Clements, The Guardian)

“There’s no intrinsic reason why love of Elgar’s music should be confined to this country, and his greatest scores seem at last to be taking root abroad, as this splendid disc testifies. The Stockholm players seize the Second Symphony’s fabulous orchestral opportunities with relish and subtlety, and their Finnish conductor has an understanding at once individual and profound of its rich ambiguities. Sakari Oramo catches the sadness at the core of the first movement’s opening bravura and draws out beautifully its mysterious middle section. The wonderful Larghetto is a joy, the scherzo suitably wild and scary, and the performance ends in the right resigned, wistful glow.”

(David Cairns, The Sunday Times)

“Apart from the tumult, which was thoroughly enjoyed by the orchestra, the ‘Firebird’ shows the wonderful, almost magical, delicate pages in dazzling instrumental colours – a great opportunity for the orchestra to demonstrate its sophistication. Oramo structured the music precisely and at a pace, savouring the energy of the movement, as well as the richness of colour. At the end, as if liberated, the busy horns emerge from this fairy tale.”

(Frankfurter Neue Presse)

“The Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra is on splendid form throughout, led by conductors who have championed these works at home and abroad.“

(Gramophone)