Link to Swedish version
Do you have a dream…?
That’s how it all began—a question from STIM about creating music, still unexplored.
Yes, we had a dream—but rather, in our fragmented and fast-paced time, to lift up what has already been deeply explored and repeated over centuries, in country after country, in language after language:
The Church’s Credo.
To bring its articles of faith to life as an ongoing event.
We sought—and we received a yes. A church musical dream can become reality.
The work is available in English and Swedish, while the creed itself can be recited in a language of your choice – even several languages sounding together, so that it becomes even clearer how we share faith across national borders and traditions. Yes, even across time, since we do not alter the content—only add the possibilities of our own era in both musical expression and, for those who wish, the use of light and sound, as well as the option to record and share it digitally.
A JOINT WORLD PREMIERE – AUTUMN 2027
The goal is a joint premiere in autumn 2027, as far as possible during the same weekend or close in time (24/10), in multiple churches. These should be located in different countries and represent various denominations, with each church adapting the performance to its own conditions so that diversity is given space.
What does each church contribute?
Funding from STIM will cover costs related to the production of the work, including digital tools/visual presentations. The church that wishes to perform the work will cover the costs of the concert itself, such as venue, choir, soloists and instrumentalists, to a chosen extent.
Timeline
2026 – Work on the music, contacts and networking
Spring 2027 – Scores finalized for distribution, concerts confirmed
Autumn 2027 – Premiere in multiple locations simultaneously, around 24/10
Would your church like to be one of them?
Please feel free to contact us, and we will tell you more.
You will find our details below, along with more information about how we work with music and text. You are, of course, also welcome to share this with other churches you think might want to be part of the project.
Stefan Klaverdal, musician
Åsa Hagberg, writer
To download: Flyer, Presentation
ABOUT THE MUSIC
Stefan Klaverdal – Composer and musician with extensive experience in choral music, both as a singer and conductor. His compositions include the oratorio “At the Gate”, written for the 900th anniversary of Lund Cathedral, where all parish choirs also participated in the compositional process. Simpler music examples are included in the proposal for a new hymnal. In 2025, he was awarded the Church of Sweden Cultural Scholarship.
“My vision for the music is a level where the vocal performance corresponds to that of an oratorio or mixed choir, with the addition of soloists. The work features figures such as the Evangelist John and Mary, the mother of Jesus.
Depending on available resources, the music can be performed by a smaller orchestra—such as wind instruments, organ, and strings—with the option of just a string quartet or organ, as well as optional speakers. Light design can also be integrated into the music to further enhance the drama unfolding throughout the work.”
www.stefanklaverdal.se, stefan@stefanklaverdal.se, +46702620999
ABOUT THE TEXT
Åsa Hagberg – Author and hymn writer with many years of broad textual production, most of it within church music in collaboration with several composers. Her work ranges from oratorios—such as “If God Were to Walk the Earth” (music by Sofia Östling), included in the Church Music Symposium 2026—to simpler hymn texts. She has 11 texts in the Church of Sweden’s new hymnal proposal, as well as two texts in the Norwegian hymn renewal. She is a multiple recipient of the Anders Frostenson Scholarship.
“The aim of the text has been to illuminate the CREDO in a living present, so that what the confession expresses connects with God’s ‘I Am.’ Creation, the Word, the incarnation, crucifixion, descent and resurrection—all take place in the present moment, as does the wind of the Spirit and the birth of the Church, the hope of eternity. The text incorporates phrases from both the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds, as well as biblical passages, for our shared recognition.”
www.asahagbeg.se, asahagbe@gmail.com, +46705274398
TEXT SAMPLES
where different voices of the choir take part as a timeless dialogue.
In each part, the Creed is recited in a language of your choice – while the Latin text is displayed visually. Each part ends with a chorale, where the congregation can be invited to sing. The text is still in process.
Pdf – all the text
From Part I – The Father/Creator – Voices: GOD/choir
Aaaa … Uuuu … Oooo … (A threefold musical opening introduces the work)
/…/ /…/
I AM In heaven, oh, in heaven … Holy, holy, holy
Holy, holy, holy
Holy, holy, holy
(you) Are light, are life
in heaven in heaven
and on earth. and on earth.
/…/ /…/
LET THERE BE LIFE
Let life, abundant, fill the see,
the earth bring forth its plants to be,
may trees and meadows flourish.
A world of creatures, flying wings,
where children grow, the bird that sings
to share, to love and cherish.
In promise of salvation.
(Angels: Recitation eng/lat:
(Holy, holy, holy “I believe in …
Holy, holy, holy …
Holy, holy, holy) … invisible.”
/…/ /…/
From Part II – The Word/Only Begotten Son – Voices: St John-Mary-GOD/choir
(Music …) Recitation eng/lat:
(St John:) “I believe in …
The words come to me, … became man.”
the strongest, most precious, tender,
oh, let me tell the unspeakable,
describe the invisible
when still, the world is darkened.
If only I could
express the sacred untouchable
WORD
/…/ /…/
(Mary:) See, how small he is, See, how small he is!
protected by angels. What can he do?
The Light in our darkness. Who can believe
Such a God such a God?
I can give my trust,
God with us.
/…/ /…/
(Duet J/M:) Oh, Lamb of God
Oh, Holy One Crucified under Pontius Pilate.
Oh, Lamb of God If he is God,
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. why doesn´t he come down from the cross?
If he is God, why can no one save him?
How can we explain If he is God,
such love? how can he die?
/…/ /…/
Descended … to the dead,
the abode of shadows.
The living exist no more,
… like a gate without keys,
/…/ /…/
Aaaa … Uuuu … Oooo … (Whispering:) On the third day …
I AM Risen from the dead!
… Hallelujah! Hallelujah …!
/…/ /…/
From Choral:
You are the bread from heaven,
the blessing from above,
to give us life, eternal,
abiding in your love.
/…/ /…/
From Part III – The Spirit/Church/Creed – Voices: GOD-St John-Mary/choir
COME … COME … COME … Recitation eng/lat:
Come … Come … Come … “I believe in the Holy Spirit …
come-come, come-come … … prophets.”
Come, all you who are thirsty!
Come to drink!
The well is overflowing,
rivers of living water.
/…/ /…/
J/M: Oh Holy Spirit (Angels:
You are Holy, holy, holy with the Father and the Son,
God … Holy, holy, holy adored and glorified,
… Holy, holy, holy holy, holy, holy.
in us. in us.
/…/ /…/
Greatest of all,
the Love that in the Beginning
created heaven and earth,
completes everything,
to be All in all
for ever.
(Recitation several languages*:)
”I believe in one … … world to come.”
Amen (sung).
(Verse from the chorale:)
Oh, Father, Son and Spirit,
your breeze through space and time,
makes ending a beginning
to hear your sacred rhyme.
The song that never ceases,
you gave its tone and birth,
eternal is your glory
in heaven and on earth.
* As on Pentecost – Acts 2
© Text: Åsa Hagberg