Storm: Choral Works

This album presents a larger selection of choral music by Staffan Storm for the first time. It is the result of a long-standing collaboration with Erik Westberg and his vocal ensemble, which regularly perform and commission new music by Storm. The suite “Aspects of Snow” is based on old Japanese poems and has quickly established itself as a choral classic, performed throughout Sweden and internationally. “Seelenherbst” for mixed choir and percussion is based on poems by Luise Büchner (Georg Büchner’s sister). “Nachtregen” for solo viola and choir sets two poems by Else Lasker-Schüler to music. “Långt i försvunna tider” (Far in Bygone Days) is based on three songs by Wilhelm Stenhammar. Swedish Radio commissioned the work for Stenhammar’s 150th birthday in 2021, and the Swedish Radio Choir performed it for the first time under the direction of Erik Westberg. The composer Staffan Storm has an extensive list of works ranging from solo and chamber music to orchestral works and operas. Storm’s music has received several awards, including the Saltö-Järnåker Foundation Prize and the Swedish Music Publishers’ Prize. The Erik Westberg Vocal Ensemble was founded in 1993 and consists of 16 to 20 singers. The ensemble has commissioned and premiered over 60 works. Conductor Erik Westberg has led numerous choirs, including the Oslo Philharmonic Choir and the Swedish Youth Choir, and has also served as a guest conductor of the Swedish Radio Choir.