“What sets Peter Nordahl’s symphonic concept apart is how far he’s pushed the boundaries of popular music. Nordahl isn’t afraid to break from convention, replacing the formulaic with lightness, fluidity, and unpredictability, and he plays with major and minor keys with a liberating touch. This adventurous, passionate approach makes him an ideal opera composer for today, always striving for world-class performances that leave the audience truly stunned.”
MARTIN NYSTRÖM, music and opera critic, author, 2024
“The Thore Ehrling-Award for 2018 is bestowed upon Peter Nordahl for his wide-ranging achievements across multiple genres, most notably as a conductor and composer. Everything Peter Nordahl does is characterized by the highest level of artistic quality [and] ingenious elegance.”
Musikerförbundet, STIM and Folkets hus och parker, 2018
“[Peter Nordahl:] Official purveyor of musical arrangements to the Royal Household. His orchestral fusion of jazz and pop has created a new art form.”
The Swedish Society of Songwriters, Composers and Authors (SKAP) Award, 2017
TODAY
Over the past decade, Peter Nordahl has become one of Scandinavia’s most respected and versatile composer-conductors, working across the concert hall, cinema, theatre productions, and the recording studio. He effortlessly combines composing, conducting, and producing, moving seamlessly between classical and popular music.
As a composer, Nordahl creates contemporary classical works for orchestras and chamber ensembles, alongside scores for film and television. In 2021, he released the acclaimed symphonic work Sånger ur havet, recorded with the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra and Sven-Bertil Taube. Most recently, in 2024, he made an impressive debut as an opera composer with Herr Arnes penningar, to widespread critical acclaim.
As a conductor, Nordahl regularly works with Scandinavia’s major symphony orchestras, bringing his distinct musical vision to life. His ability to shape and interpret performances has earned him a reputation for excellence and artistic sensitivity.
As a producer, Nordahl is one of the few still entrusted with creating full-length albums in today’s fast-paced music industry. Whether composing, conducting, or producing, Peter consistently leaves his unmistakable musical mark on every project.
Since 2021, Peter Nordahl has also served as the Artistic Director of SEB The Next Awards, a prestigious gala event held annually at Stockholm Concert Hall featuring the Stockholm Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
LOOKING BACK
In the beginning there was jazz; Peter traveled the world and cut lauded albums with his eponymous piano trio, the Peter Nordahl Trio. They forged successful collaborations with musicians and singers such as James Moody, Steve Grossman, Stacey Kent and Lisa Ekdahl.
Ever wishing to delve deeper into the world of music, Peter found himself increasingly writing symphony orchestra arrangements for, among others, the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Norrköping Symphony Orchestra, the Gothenburg Opera, the Malmö Opera, and for international recording artists such as Il Divo and Agnetha Fältskog.
Peter pursued his deepening passion for the world of classical music and the orchestra through private conducting classes for professor Lars Benstorp, as well as conducting classes at the Royal Academy of Music in Malmö for Patrik Andersson. Peter made his conducting debut at the Malmö Opera in 2003, and since then he has conducted the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, the Norrköping Symphony Orchestra, the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, the Gävle Symphony Orchestra, Stockholm Royal Symphony Orchestra, Malmö Symphony Orchestra, Helsingborg Symphony Orchestra, the Gothenburg Opera Orchestra, the Malmö Opera Orchestra, the Stockholm Opera Orchestra, the Umeå Opera Orchestra – as well as a plethora of session orchestras within his various producing commitments.
As a producer, Peter has produced over 80 albums, working with international recording artists such as Agnetha Fältskog, Tomas Ledin, Ted Gärdestad, Björn Skifs, Carola, Sven-Bertil Taube, Myrra Malmberg, Måns Zelmerlöw, Jill Johnson, and Orphei Drängar to mention but a few. Twelve albums produced by Peter have been nominated for Grammys, and his collaborations with Gunnar Bergsten, Bernt Rosengren and Sven-Bertil Taube have brought home the coveted award. Peter has also produced a couple of albums with his trio and Lisa Ekdahl on vocals that are, to date, the best-sellingest Swedish jazz recordings internationally ever, with more than 1 million units sold.
Peter has a Masters Degree in Composing for film from the Royal Academy of Music in Malmö, where he studied under the tutelage of Hans Gefors.
AWARDS & NOMINATIONS
3 Grammy Awards
12 Grammy Nominations
1 Guldbagge nomination for Best Film Score (Monica Z, 2014)
Sjösala Award 2017
SKAP Award 2017
Thore Ehrling Award 2018