Role

:

Conductor  

Genre

:

Choral

 

Stefan Parkman is a renowned conductor and choral director in the world of classical music. Born on August 14, 1952, in Stockholm, Sweden, Parkman grew up in a family of musicians. His father was a composer and his mother was a singer, which exposed him to music at a young age. Parkman started playing the piano at the age of six and later learned to play the organ. Parkman studied music at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm, where he received his diploma in choral conducting in 1976. He continued his studies at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he earned a Master of Music degree in choral conducting in 1980. After completing his studies, Parkman returned to Sweden and began his career as a conductor and choral director. He served as the conductor of the Stockholm Cathedral Choir from 1983 to 1990 and the Swedish Radio Choir from 1998 to 2002. He also served as the artistic director of the Adolf Fredrik Music School in Stockholm from 1990 to 1998. Parkman has conducted many major orchestras and choirs around the world, including the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, the BBC Singers, and the Netherlands Radio Choir. He has also collaborated with many renowned soloists, such as Anne Sofie von Otter, Barbara Bonney, and Bryn Terfel. One of Parkman's most notable performances was his conducting of the Swedish Radio Choir in the opening ceremony of the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway. The choir performed the Norwegian national anthem, "Ja, vi elsker dette landet," which was a tribute to the host country. Parkman has also received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to classical music. In 1999, he was awarded the Royal Swedish Academy of Music's Litteris et Artibus medal for his outstanding contributions to Swedish music. In 2002, he was awarded the Johannes Norrby Medal by the Swedish Choral Directors Association for his contributions to choral music in Sweden. In 2010, he was awarded the Eric Ericson Award, which is considered one of the most prestigious awards in choral music. Parkman is also a prolific recording artist, with over 50 recordings to his credit. His recordings have received critical acclaim and have won several awards, including the Diapason d'Or and the Gramophone Award. In addition to his work as a conductor and choral director, Parkman is also a respected educator. He has taught choral conducting at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm and has given masterclasses and workshops around the world. Parkman's approach to conducting and choral directing is characterized by his attention to detail and his ability to bring out the best in his performers. He is known for his ability to create a warm and supportive atmosphere in rehearsals, which allows his performers to feel comfortable and confident. In conclusion, Stefan Parkman is a highly respected conductor and choral director who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music. His talent, dedication, and passion for music have earned him numerous awards and honors, and his recordings and performances continue to inspire and delight audiences around the world.

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