benjamin staern’s Worried Souls – a captivating new cd release
Acclaimed Swedish composer Benjamin Staern presents his latest CD, Worried Souls — a compelling collection that showcases his deeply expressive and evocative musical language. This release features a selection of Staern’s most striking works such as The Threat of War and Polar Vortex (Symphony No. 1), showcasing his unique ability to blend orchestral brilliance with emotional intensity.
The album’s centerpiece, Worried Souls (Clarinet Concerto), is a work of profound depth, awarded the Large Christ Johnson Prize by the Royal Swedish Academy of Music. The concerto explores themes of inner turmoil and resilience, brought to life by the virtuosic artistry of Karin Dornbusch and the dynamic interpretation of Gävle Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Emil Eliasson. Staern’s signature use of color and timbre creates a sonic landscape that is both immersive and hauntingly beautiful.
In addition to the concerto, the album includes works that further demonstrate Staern’s versatility and his synesthetic approach to composition.
This CD showcases his mastery of orchestration and his ability to translate abstract emotions into vivid musical textures.
With performances by some of today’s most esteemed musicians and ensembles, Worried Souls is a testament to Staern’s standing as one of the leading voices in contemporary Scandinavian music. This release promises to captivate listeners with its rich sonic palette and emotional depth.
The CD is available now on Swedish Society/Naxos and can be streamed on major digital platforms.
press quotes regarding Worried Souls album:
“Listening to Staern’s creations is both a challenge and a refreshment. Benjamin Staern is MUSIC.”
— Carlhåkan Larsén, Opus Magazine“Staern takes me to places I would never have reached on my own.”
— Tobias Lund, Sydsvenskan
Read full article ›“This is music that wants something from me – and to shake me up.”
— Sten Wistrand, Kulturdelen
Read full review ›“A musical experience that can almost take your breath away.”
— Tore Sjöqvist, Opulens
Read full review ›“A magnificent portrait album with war rumblings, extreme weather, and a clarinet concerto.”
— Johanna Paulsson, Dagens Nyheter
Read full review ›“A fantastic album from Swedish Society! The music keeps growing. So enjoyable to listen to – with excellent performances by the Gävle Symphony Orchestra, Karin Dornbusch, and Emil Eliasson. A strong four!”
— Musikrevyn, Sveriges Radio P2
ongoing works
- New work for violin and piano solo, small orchestra – jointly commissioned by Malin Broman and Simon-Crawford Philips, Västerås Sinfonietta, Svenska Kammarorkestern Örebro and Nordiska Kammarorkestern.
- New work for string quartet – commissioned by Musik i Syd to Marmen Quartet
what’s on
2026
THROUGH PURGATORY TO PARADISE (SYMPHONY NO. 2)
May 7 2026
Malmö Live, Malmö
Malmö Symphony Orchestra
Martyn Brabbins
QUARTET NO. 1 for string quartet WORLD PREMIERE!
Konserthuset Nygatan 6, Växjö
Marménkvartetten
DET EVIGA (”THE ETERNAL”) (efter en dikt av Esaias Tegnér), Adagio for symphony orchestra WORLD PREMIERE!
January 15 2026
Norrlandsoperan
Norrlandsoperans symfoniorkester
Simon Crawford-Philips
2025
ÄLVALEK (Dancing Fairies): concerto for flute and chamber orchestra
WORLD PREMIERE!
November 27 2025
Kristinehallen, Falun
Dalasinfoniettan
Laura Michelin, flute
Claire Levacher
July 23 2025
Tofta Kyrka.
Kören Stockholms Poulenc-ensemble
Sonny Jansson
TWO GRUMPY OLD MEN: humorous bagatelle for trumpet and horn
WORLD PREMIERE!
June 18 2025
Sandefjord Kunst-og Kulturkirke, Norway
Håkan Hardenberger, trumpet
Stefan Dohr, horn
BREV TILL MITT BARN for voice and string quartet
May 17 2025
Klubbscenen Arvet, Falun
Sofia Berg Böhm, voice
Danial Shariati, violin 1
Ylva Larsdotter, violin 2
Anna Rubinsztein, viola
Kristina Winiarski, cello
WAVES for solo piano
May 12 2025
Musikhögskolan i Örebro
Mats Jansson
DU SKA TACKA for male choir, lyrics: Karin Boye
WORLD PREMIERE!
April 26 & 27 2025
Universitetsaulan, Uppsala
Orphei Drängar (OD)
Cecilia Rydinger
HILMA SCENES: version for chamber orchestra
WORLD PREMIERE!
April 26 2025
Konserthuset, Helsingborg
Helsingborg Symphony Orchestra
Cathrine Winnes
WAVES for solo piano
April 26 2025
Hedvig Kyrka, Norrköping
Mats Jansson
April 4 2025
Vor Frue Kirke, Aalborg, Denmark
Filharmonisk Kor
Michael Bojesen
WORRIED SOULS ORCHESTRAL CD RELEASE
February 21 2025
Swedish Society thru Naxos
Works included:
THE THREAT OF WAR
WORRIED SOULS
POLAR VORTEX: SYMPHONY NO. 1
Karin Dornbusch, clarinets
Gävle Symphony Orchestra
Emil Eliasson
February 11 2025
Folkehusets Kirke, Aalborg, Denmark
Filharmonisk Kor
Michael Bojesen
HILMA INTERLUDES AND EPILOGUE for piano, violin and cello
WORLD PREMIERE!
February 6 2025
Odeum, Lund
Lund Contemporary Music Festival
Daniel Kuzmin, violin
Gustav Ölmedal, cello
Julia Isaksson, piano
ÄLVALEK (Dancing Fairies): concerto for flute and chamber orchestra
January 30 2025
Konsert och Kongress, Uppsala
Uppsala Chamber Orchestra
Laura Michelin, flute
Jessica Cottis
BREV TILL MITT BARN for voice and string quartet
WORLD PREMIERE!
January 28 2025 (also Jan 29 in Västmanlands Teater, Västerås and Sigtunastiftelsens Bibliotek on the same day!)
Judiska Muséet, Stockholm
Sofia Berg Böhm, voice
Danial Shariati, violin 1
Ylva Larsdotter, violin 2
Anna Rubinsztein, viola
Kristina Winiarski, cello
2024
November 3 2024
Uppenbarelsekyrkan, Hägersten
Hägersten A Capella
Kerstin Börjeson
ÄLVALEK (Dancing Fairies): concerto for flute and chamber orchestra
WORLD PREMIERE!
October 17 2024
Konserthuset, Västerås
Västerås Sinfonietta
Laura Michelin, flute
Jessica Cottis
To be recorded and aired on Swedish Radio P2 for later broadcast.
WAVE MOVEMENTS for chamber orchestra
October 3 2024
Konserthuset, Örebro
Swedish Chamber Orchestra
Finnegan Downey Dear
IN PARADISUM; song for the people of Ukraine for mixed choir
September 21 2024
Copenhagen, Garnisonskirken, DANISH PREMIERE!
September 22 2024
Malmö, S:t Petri Kyrka
Petri Sångare; Karin Oldgren
FEM EPISODER (Five Episodes) for violin and guitar
April 11 2024 FINNISH PREMIERE!
TTT-Klubi, Tampere, Finland
Tampere Biennale 2024
Erika Maalismaa, violin
Petri Kumela, guitar
SURPRISE! – concertino for trumpet and orchestra
March 13 and 14 2024
Konserthuset, Västerås
John Axelson, trumpet solo
Västerås Sinfonietta
Jessica Cottis
Also at Medborgarhuset in Arboga om March 12.
WAVE MOVEMENTS for chamber orchestra
February 1 2024
Konserthuset, Västerås
Västerås Sinfonietta
Anton Holmer
2023
DET SVÄLTANDE HJÄRTAT (”The starving heart”); monodrama i fyra scener
WORLD PREMIERE!
Lyrics: Tor Lind (Swedish)
November 23 2023
Grünewaldsalen, Stockholm
Magdalena Risberg, sopran
Sonanza Chamber Ensemble
Jan Risberg
HYMNUS AQUARIUS – A HYMN TO THE BALTIC SEA for soprano saxophone and large wind ensemble
concerto for soprano saxophone and large wind band
September 27 2023 Sparresalen, Karlskrona WORLD PREMIERE!
September 28 2023 Palladium, Malmö
September 30 2023 Konserthuset, Växjö *
October 1 2023 Kulturkvarteret, Kristianstad
Anders Paulsson, soprano saxophone
Marinens Musikkår (Royal Swedish Navy Band)
Alexander Hanson
* recorded by Swedish Radio P2
IN PARADISUM; song for the people of Ukraine,
September 16 2023
Assisi, Basilica Superiore di San Francesco, ITALIAN PREMIERE!
September 17 2023
Montefalco, Museo di S. Francesco
S:t Jacobs Kammarkör; Gary Graden
VÅRT BEHOV AV TRÖST ÄR OMÄTTLIGT (”Our need for consolation is immeasurable”)
melodrama for actor, guitar, violin, cello and clarinet.
WORLD PREMIERE!
Lyrics: Stig Dagerman (Swedish)
August 12 2023
Heliga Trefaldighetskyrkan, Uppsala
August 13 2023 *
Artipelag, Värmdö
Daniel Migdal, violin
Amalie Stahlheim, cello
Jacob Kellermann, guitar
Karin Dornbusch, clarinet
Hannes Meidal, actor and director
* Broadcasted on Swedish Radio P2 September 11 2023
EN STRIMMA HAV (”A streak by the sea”) for young players, choir and orchestra
WORLD PREMIERE!
June 20 2023
Scandinavium, Göteborg
El Sistema National Orchestra and chorus together with
Göteborg Symphony Orchestra
Ron Davis Alvarez