"The collaboration between Gothenburg Symphony, Neeme Jarvi and BIS began in 1982 with the recording of Wilhelm Stenhammar`s First Symphony, originally released on vinyl and then re-released on CD in 1986. By that time, Neeme Jarvi and the orchestra had already started on the many Sibelius recordings that would contribute to the team`s rise to fame. In total, the orchestra and Jarvi would go on to record some 45 discs for BIS, including several with music by Stenhammar. It would however take until 2018 – 36 years after that first disc – before the opportunity arose to record that late, great work of his – the symphonic cantata Sangen (The Song) for four vocal soloists, mixed choir, children`s choir and large orchestra.

Because of the large forces involved, Sangen is a rarity in the concert hall as well as on disc – there has only been one previous commercial recording, made in 1988. As might be expected there was a sense of occasion in the Gothenburg Concert Hall during the concert and recording of this all-Stenhammar programme – a sense of occasion that audibly comes across in this present disc. Also included are the well-loved Two Sentimental Romances for violin and orchestra with the orchestra`s eminent leader Sara Troback as soloist and the rarely heard suite from the music to Shakespeare`s Romeo and Juliet. "

"Wilhelm Stenhammar (1871–1927)
1–5) Suite from Romeo och Julia, Op.45 17`20
Arranged by Hilding Rosenberg
6 ) Reverenza (1911–13) 5`58
7–8) Two Sentimental Romances, Op.28 13`26
for violin and orchestra
Sara Troback violin
9–10) Sangen (The Song), symphonic cantata, Op.44 29`15
for soloists, choirs and orchestra. Text: Ture Rangstrom
Charlotta Larsson soprano · Martina Dike alto
Lars Cleveman tenor · Fredrik Zetterstrom baritone
Children`s Choir of Norrkopings musikklasser
Gothenburg Symphony Choir & Vocal Ensemble