Mozart and Schubert

When Anton Holmer conducted the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra last year in Ravel’s Bolero and music by Debussy, Dagens Nyheter’s Camilla Lundberg gave the concert a top score – five out of five! Holmer is without doubt one of Sweden’s most prominent young conductors, also making his mark internationally.

Now he returns to the podium, joined by acclaimed German violinist Arabella Steinbacher – renowned for her rich tone and effortless virtuosity. She made her Konserthuset debut in 2012, and during her most recent visit in 2024, she performed Tchaikovsky’s violin concerto. This time, the programme features Mozart’s majestic and powerful Violin Concerto No. 5.

Schubert was in his early twenties when he composed his Sixth Symphony. It is often referred to as the “Little C major” to distinguish it from the “Great C major” Symphony No. 9 – a label that hardly does it justice. This is jubilant music full of youthful vitality. The beautiful melody in the second movement was later used by the beloved Swedish comedy duo Hasse and Tage in their revue Spader Madame! – where it became Donna Juanita, sung by Monica Zetterlund.

Tebogo Monnakgotla is the 2025–26 Season Composer at Konserthuset Stockholm. One of Sweden’s most celebrated composers, she is represented here with The Robin – music inspired by the song of the European robin and Selma Lagerlöf’s fairytale bird Rödbröst (Redbreast).