Music
During a mesmerising 75-minute set Victor Leksell and Stockholm Concert Orchestra's worlds collided in a sold-out performance at Cirkus including guest artists like Astrid S, Estraden & Johan Dalene.
In a stunning fusion of pop and classical, Victor Leksell and the 58-piece Stockholm Concert Orchestra created magic at the first-ever Red Bull Symphonic in Sweden. The 75-minute set took the audience on a ride through some of Leksell’s biggest hits, but with a twist. All songs had been beautifully rearranged into classical pieces for this one-night-only performance. Together with guest artists from both the contemporary and classical world, Victor Leksell delivered a heartfelt, unique performance.
“This was the most vulnerable thing I’ve ever done - no clicks, no autotune. Hella scary but so powerful”, Victor Leksell said just minutes after stepping off stage.
01
A creative chaos coming together
Opening with a beautiful rendition of Tid & Tro, Leksell, dressed in black tie, set the tone for the night. Performing alongside the symphonic orchestra, lead by conductor Karl-Johan Ankarblom, the audience was guided through a 17-song journey - from Leksell’s early hits to his latest release, Många Mil.
“It’s an incredibly creative chaos,” Ankarblom says, referring to the work put into the show. “There’s so much preparation and energy that has to burst out in these 75 minutes. Everyone’s so committed, and that energy comes through—both from the orchestra and the audience.” He added, laughing, “I’ve never conducted a concert with so much sing-along. We weren’t expecting that - but it was pure joy.”
02
A clash of worlds
The unconventional musical union of the two very different genres brought a new dimension to Leksell’s popular songs. The orchestral take added a deep emotional layer, one Leksell accentuated by his personal and vulnerable presence on stage.
The evening flowed through different stages, from intimate performances such as Fånga mig när jag faller to the pulsating beats of Natthimlen. Guest artist Theo Hillborg delivered a heartfelt soprano saxophone solo during Fantasi, while violinist Johan Dalene led the purely classical take on Lost and Found - his first time performing for a pop audience:
“It was so much fun. The audience was incredibly reactive and engaged. In classical music, it has become taboo not to be quiet, which can be really good for your focus. However, it was very enjoyable to have the audience applauding during my performance tonight”, said the violinist.
03
A voyage through sound
Red Bull Symphonic in Stockholm was truly a voyage into the classical world. Jacob Mühlrad and Petter Ekman, who rearranged Leksell’s pop into classical pieces, used a full range of instruments to guide the audience through this new world. From Kristina Winiarski's dramatic cello solo in Klär av dig, to Irma Appelgren’s fluttering flute in Tystnar i luren and Marie Nilsen's intimate harp in Om jag somnar.
“We didn’t want the generic orchestral sound but rather use a fuller range – from the intimate, quiet to the big and bombastic. There were over 20 different instruments on stage and we wanted to get the biggest palett of sound that we could”, Ekman says and adds that some of the songs were left mostly untouched whilst others were completely turned upside down.
We didn’t want the generic orchestral sound but rather use a fuller range - from the intimate, quiet to the big and bombastic.
But it wasn’t all about classical music. Norwegian pop star Astrid S joined Leksell on stage in a beautiful remake of Svag, and Louise from Estraden performance an emotional and dynamic duet of Bra för dig. Both standout moments for Leksell:
It was so cool to sing with Astrid S again, and with Lollo. To do it this way... we’ve never done anything like it!
04
A Sensory Experience
Red Bull Symphonic offered more than sound, it was a visual journey too. With dramatic lighting and an industrial-looking set by acclaimed creative director Alexander Wessely, the audience was immersed in a show of light, colour, and emotion.
Red Bull Symphonic truly did what it set out to do - to explore what happens when two genres collide. Saxophonist Theo Hillborg sums it up well: “Mixing pop with classical is a great idea, and the audience clearly agrees. More and more people are getting into it - it’s so much fun to be part of something like this.”
