Stockholm Saxophone Quartet: Spreading musical joy for more than 50 years

By Malin Norman

Stockholm Saxophone Quartet is one of Europe’s leading ensembles for contemporary music. With over 800 works composed for the quartet, it pushes musical boundaries and redefines what the saxophone can express.

Formed in 1969, Stockholm Saxophone Quartet specialises in chamber music for saxophones as well as advanced electroacoustic music, from Sweden and abroad. A common thread in its activities is working in close collaboration with Swedish and foreign composers, both established and up-and-coming, which has resulted in over 800 works composed for the quartet.

The ensemble’s current line-up consists of Mathias Karlsen Björnstad, Jörgen Pettersson, Theo Hillborg, and Linn Persson Kornhammar – a quartet that combines technical brilliance with artistic passion.

“Whether we perform a newly written work or an interpretation of a classic, the goal is always the same: to touch, challenge, inspire and spread the joy of music,” says Linn Persson Kornhammar, who has been a member of the quartet since 2015.

Pushing musical boundaries

With four saxophones – from soprano to baritone – and an insatiable curiosity, the quartet is challenging the norm and redefining what the saxophone can express, from intricate rhythms to lush soundscapes.

This desire for constant development has remained since the quartet’s founding. The musicians’ way of working has developed their style and skill, placing them at the forefront of their field.

“In the ensemble, we’re driven by an unbridled desire to explore and push the boundaries of what is said to be artistically possible,” says Persson Kornhammar. “We’re always looking at what we can do next. When we meet composers for future music collaborations, we give them freedom and encourage them to let their inspiration shine.”

Photo: Grzesiek Mart

Quartet with international presence

Stockholm Saxophone Quartet is an important voice for Swedish music internationally, while bringing musical impressions home to the Swedish audience.

The quartet is well-travelled and has toured extensively throughout Europe, including the Baltics, France, Germany, Italy and Greece, as well as Asia, North and South America, and Africa. They frequently appear at international festivals such as Warsaw Autumn Festival, as well as opera houses and concert halls around the world.

Their ability to spark interest in contemporary music continues to benefit more and more people. In addition to concerts and festival performances, the ensemble is involved in educational projects, seminars and workshops, to inspire the next generation of musicians and composers to explore the potential of the saxophone and contemporary music.

They often collaborate with composers in the countries they visit to create meaningful cultural exchanges and build long-term relationships. By working with composers on location, their projects become gateways to new artistic perspectives and networks.

New album and Swedish Spring Music

Recently, the quartet has been in London, recording the new album PSALMS of DOUBT and WONDERMENT, with music by Mårten Jansson and lyrics by Tony Silvestri. “We recorded with the VOCES8 Foundation, with wonderful VOCES8 Scholars and conductor Ragnar Bohlin – it’s guaranteed to be something truly special,” promises Persson Kornhammar. The album is due to be released in the summer of 2026.

Since 2016, Stockholm Saxophone Quartet has also been the driving force behind Swedish Spring Music, a week-long festival that presents Swedish music at some of Stockholm’s leading cultural venues. “The festival has become a unique manifesto for contemporary music in Sweden and is an important forum for established and new composers, supported by Sweden’s largest cultural institutions,” adds Persson Kornhammar.

Stockholm Saxophone Quartet is supported by the Swedish Arts Council and Region Stockholm.

Selected appearances:

February 2026, Unerhörte Musik, Berlin
March 2026, Swedish Spring Music, Stockholm
July 2026, Korsholm Music Festival, Vaasa

www.stockholmsax.com
Facebook: Stockholm Saxophone Quartet
Instagram: @stockholmsaxophonequartet