Role

:

Conductor  

Country

:

Sweden

Birth

:

October 26, 1918 in Borås, Sweden

Death

:

February 16, 2013 in Stockholm, Sweden

Period

:

Baroque

Genre

:

Choral

 

Eric Ericson was a Swedish conductor and choral director who was widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the world of classical music. Born on October 26, 1918, in Boras, Sweden, Ericson grew up in a family of musicians and was exposed to music from a very young age. His father was a church organist, and his mother was a singer, which helped to foster his love for music. Ericson began his musical education at the age of six when he started taking piano lessons. He later studied at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm, where he focused on choral conducting. After completing his studies, he worked as a church organist and choir director before becoming the conductor of the Swedish Radio Choir in 1952. During his tenure with the Swedish Radio Choir, Ericson gained international recognition for his innovative approach to choral music. He was known for his meticulous attention to detail and his ability to bring out the best in his singers. He also had a deep understanding of the music he conducted and was able to convey his passion for it to his audiences. One of Ericson's most significant achievements was his work with the Swedish Radio Choir on the recording of Bach's Mass in B Minor. The recording, which was released in 1967, was widely regarded as one of the best interpretations of the piece ever recorded. It was also the first time that the Mass had been recorded in its entirety. Ericson's work with the Swedish Radio Choir led to invitations to conduct other choirs and orchestras around the world. He conducted the Berlin Philharmonic, the London Symphony Orchestra, and the Vienna Philharmonic, among others. He also worked with many of the world's leading soloists, including Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Kathleen Ferrier, and Elisabeth Söderström. In addition to his work as a conductor, Ericson was also a respected teacher. He taught choral conducting at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm and was a visiting professor at many other institutions around the world. He was known for his ability to inspire his students and for his commitment to passing on his knowledge and experience to the next generation of musicians. Ericson received many awards and honors throughout his career, including the Royal Swedish Academy of Music's Litteris et Artibus medal in 1970 and the Polar Music Prize in 1997. He was also awarded honorary doctorates from several universities, including the University of Cambridge and the University of Helsinki. Ericson continued to conduct and teach well into his 80s, and his influence on the world of classical music continued to be felt long after his death in 2013. He was a true visionary who revolutionized the way choral music was performed and understood, and his legacy continues to inspire musicians around the world.

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