A world premiere and a Swedish premiere coexist with modern classics when the Baltic Sea Festival opens tonight in Berwaldhallen and on Sveriges Radio P2.
It will be the world premiere of American-Swedish Molly Kien's piece "A Demon in Disguise", which draws inspiration from the Appalachian folk song "House Carpenter", recorded by both Joan Baez and Bob Dylan.
The Radio Choir will be performing in Berwaldhallen.
It is absolutely wonderful, says Andrés Orozco-Estrada.
The opening concert also features the Swedish premiere of Anders Hillborg's "Hell Mountain" - a tribute to Gustav Mahler, who composed during the summer near the Höllengebirge - the Hell Mountains - in Austria.
The evening ends with Stravinsky's "The Rite of Spring", a piece that is said to have made people vomit in shock at its premiere in 1913 - now one of the most important works of the 20th century, according to Andrés Orozco-Estrada.
He sees the Baltic Sea Festival as one of the absolute highlights of the season.
I am very happy to be starting this.
Taking place August 21 to 29, the concerts take place in Stockholm but are broadcast live on Swedish Radio P2.
In addition to the Radio Symphony Orchestra and the Radio Choir, the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra will also be participating. Among the conductors is the festival's co-founder Esa-Pekka Salonen.
