Stockholm, November 14, 2025. The final notes of “Klipporna” are still warm when they barely have time to fade away before Berwaldhallen is swept by applause. The song—which is part of the Grammis-nominated 2021 album *Om vi får leva* —was, fittingly, inspired by a run along the shore of Lake Mälaren when Jonathan Johansson heard Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony streaming out through an open window. Now it brings the evening’s two-hour concert to a close, performed together with the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra.
The idea to rearrange and adapt parts of Jonathan Johansson’s song repertoire for a symphony orchestra came from Erik Arvinder—a multi-instrumentalist, violinist, and conductor, and perhaps best known to the general public as “Fiolhunken” from the long-running TV4 show *Så mycket bättre *. Arvinder became the youngest violinist ever to join the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, has previously been a member of the Norrlandsoperan Symphony Orchestra, and in recent years has worked with some of the world’s biggest artists. Among these collaborations are megastars such as Taylor Swift, Harry Styles, Madonna, Coldplay, Ariana Grande, and First Aid Kit. But for Jonathan Johansson, Erik Arvinder is above all an old friend and collaborator who has written arrangements for all of the artist’s albums. In May 2026, two highly anticipated concerts are scheduled with the Norrlandsoperan Symphony Orchestra, where the Umeå audience will hear selected pieces from Jonathan Johansson’s repertoire in a fresh new arrangement.
“It’s incredibly packed—a panorama of my career. But it’s also a sonic panorama, ranging from the most minimalist to the most bombastic. A real seven-course meal,” says Jonathan Johansson.
In November, Jonathan Johansson, Erik Arvinder & Co took the stage at Berwaldhallen for four sold-out concerts with the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra. PHOTO: Timothy Gottlieb
“My songs are totally fine, but in this context, they become larger than life.”
In addition to the Norrlandsoperan Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Erik Arvinder, four other long-standing collaborators will join Jonathan Johansson on stage. Johan Eckeborn (drums), Samuel Starck (keyboards), and David Lindvall (bass) are all producers who have contributed to the artist’s eight studio albums. On backing vocals is artist Emil Jonsson, who is otherwise a member of the group ViVii. The comfort of a close relationship with the team has made working on the arrangements a relatively smooth experience.
– We’ve created soundscapes with Erik Arvinder in the past, and in many ways, he’s been the fifth member of a band that doesn’t exist. We can be very direct and honest, and we trust each other’s judgment.
A selection of Jonathan Johansson’s songs has been rearranged for the Symphony Orchestra. PHOTO: Timothy Gottlieb
How intimidating is it to stand in front of a symphony orchestra, where every single musician is among the world’s best in their field?
– Yeah, it’s all about finding your place in that. You really don’t want to make a fool of yourself, get lost in that massive wall of sound, or stand there looking uncertain. But I have to remind myself that just as they’ve spent all that time practicing scales and honing their skills, I’ve put just as much time and energy into my craft. I know my stuff, you know.
You have a catalog of over 90 songs from your 17 years as a solo artist to choose from—what has the selection process been like?
– Erik picked out 40 songs that he thought we could do something worthwhile with. I selected 16 tracks and also came up with a few suggestions of my own. Where he didn’t have any ideas, I had some, and vice versa. We found our way there in a very organic way.
Anna Sjödin is the artistic director of music at the Norrlands Opera. PHOTO: Norrlandsoperan
Crossover concerts are nothing new for the Norrlandsoperan Symphony Orchestra. In the spring of 2025, Lisa Miskovsky took the main stage with a medley of her greatest hits. The Umeå band Deportees had to postpone their planned 2021 concert when a poorly prepared bat triggered a global pandemic, but when they finally took the stage at a sold-out Norrlandsoperan in February 2023, the atmosphere was electric. A reviewer for Västerbottens-Kuriren hailed the concert as “a powerful experience” and vividly described how the finale with “Bright Eyes” “elevates the music to transcendent heights.” Anna Sjödin, artistic director of music at the Norrlandsoperan, sees crossover concerts as an exciting tool for audience development and inspiration.
“It’s a way to bring in an audience that may never have experienced a symphony orchestra live, while at the same time allowing our ‘regular visitors’ to discover a pop artist who might otherwise have flown under their radar. It’s also a welcome change of pace for the musicians in the orchestra, when modern pop music is woven together with classical arrangements. With the right artist, it makes for a fantastic concert experience,” says Anna Sjödin.
Work on the new album is in full swing, and the concerts at the Norrlandsoperan will be the last ones before they head into the studio. PHOTO: Timothy Gottlieb
Now that Jonathan Johansson is coming to the Norrlandsoperan, he brings with him four sold-out concerts at Berwaldhallen. The show features grand renditions of hits like “Rosa Himmel” and “Aldrig ensam,” but under the direction of conductor Erik Arvinder, certain song choices and arrangements have actually surprised even the artist himself.
“Spartas svarta hjärta is, at its core, a very intense song with a high-energy production. Erik wanted to cut the tempo in half and make it more like a ballad. I didn’t believe in that at all, but he stood his ground, and the result turned out really well.”
Now you have two evenings at the Norrlandsoperan with concerts, and then you’ll be moving on from the symphony collaboration. Has it been worth all the work?
– You put in an incredible amount of dedication and hard work for just a few evenings. But it’s unlike anything else, and it’s so much fun and such a powerful experience to be a part of. I think even someone who isn’t familiar with the material beforehand can have a great experience—my songs are pretty good on their own, but in this context, they become larger than life.
What’s next? Are there plans for a new album?
– Yeah, I’m about to start the recording process. I’ve been sitting in my room writing songs for half a year—now it’s time to start recording. You never know how long it’s going to take; I let the music take me where it wants to go and trust the process. It can be pretty uncomfortable and nerve-wracking at first, but you’ll find your way in the end. It’s such a joy to finally bring it to life!
Jonathan Johansson will perform with the Norrlandsoperan Symphony Orchestra on the main stage on May 22 and 23. You can find tickets here.
Text: Jonas Pekkari
