European GP for choral Singing 2012

Sofia Vocalensemble, Sweden

Conductor Bengt Ollén
(winner of International Choral Competition Maribor 2011, Slovenia)

Sofia Vokalensemble from Stockholm, Sweden, was formed in 1995 by Bengt Ollén, who remains the choir’s committed conductor. The choir’s performances are characterized by a warm, lyrical Swedish choral sound and a stage presence that has taken the ensemble far in international competitions. Music from the last century is in focus with composers like Poulenc, Pärt and Schnittke, recurring frequently in the repertoire. Sofia Vokalensemble is a choir consisting of singers who share a great love for music but also each other - the heart is always there. In 2011, Sofia Vokalensemble won the Grand Prix competition in Maribor, Slovenia. Prior to Maribor, the choir had successfully participated in several choir competitions. In a relatively short time, Sofia Vokalensemble has also toured many European countries as well as South Africa, Hong Kong and Venezuela.

Bengt Ollén is Sofia Vokalensemble’s founder and permanent conductor. Since 1995, he has led the choir with great passion and a never-dying enthusiasm. His leadership has formed Sofia Vokalensemble to a positive and resolute choir through musical development. Bengt Ollén’s vision is to create music “beyond the notes”. The music the choir performs shall move the listener. Bengt Ollén has studied at the Academy of Music and Drama in Gothenburg, Sweden, and is regularly engaged as a guest lecturer at choir festivals, workshops and concerts, both in Sweden and internationally. He currently works as a teacher of choir singing at Stockholms Musikgymnasium.

Programme:
Tomás Luis De Victoria (1548–1611): REGINA CÆLI  (Easter antiphon)
Choral Public Domain Library

Gösta Nyström (1890–1966): iz/from ”TRE HAVSVISIONER”
     – Vid Havet (Ebba Lindkvist)
Gehrmans

Z. Randall Stroope (1953): CONVERSION OF SAUL
Alliance Music Publications

Bengt Ollén (1950): I DENNA LJUVA SOMMARTID  (Annon.)      
Manuscript

Max Reger (1873–1916): ABENDLIED (August H. Plinke)
Carus Verlag

Sven-David Sandström (1942): FOUR SONGS OF LOVE
       – 1. Let him kiss me (Songs of Songs, 1:2,15)            
Gehrmans

Alfred Schnittke (1934–1998): PSALMS OF REPENTANCE X
Universal Edition