Otto Olsson: Sex Latinska Hymner / Lars-Erik Larsson: Missa Brevis

Released in 1957 on the Swedish Society Discofil label, this recording brings together two pillars of 20th-century Swedish choral music. The album serves as a definitive exploration of sacred compositions by Otto Olsson and Lars-Erik Larsson, capturing the rich, atmospheric traditions of the Swedish organ and choral school. By pairing Olsson’s late-Romantic, organ-heavy 'Six Latin Hymns' with Larsson’s neoclassical 'Missa Brevis,' the release aimed to bridge the stylistic evolution of mid-century Nordic liturgical music for a growing domestic audience interested in high-fidelity classical recording.

The production was spearheaded by the Swedish Society Discofil, a label renowned for its commitment to documenting Swedish classical composers during the post-war era. The album’s design and selection process focused on authenticity and sonic clarity, utilizing the specific acoustics of Swedish churches to complement the intricate polyphony of the compositions. Upon its release, it was well-received by critics for its sensitive interpretation and technical production, eventually becoming a staple for those seeking a representative cross-section of Swedish sacred music from the early to mid-twentieth century.