Topic: Segerstam- Symphony No.151 (out of 215 so far)

[Brian]

A comment from BIS Records founder/CEO Robert von Bahr:

"Segerstam is presumably the greatest musical genius I will ever come across: he reads a score - ANY score - better than I read a Swedish daily. He has perfect pitch down to the tiniest degree and perfect rhythm as well - wake him up in the middle of the night and ask for tempo 167 and it comes. He has the unbeatable record of composed symphonies, pushing towards 300 now (which is about his IQ as well)."

[(poco) Sforzando]

pushing towards 300 now (which is about his IQ as well)."

And his weight . . . .

[Cato]

Unless I see the musicians crowded into closets and a dining room and in kitchen hallways, and hear the synthesizers being beaten, I will not believe.

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/f1CPFf1luOg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/f1CPFf1luOg</a>

This reminds of the Wonder Automobile Company, whose slogan was:

"If it runs, it's a Wonder!"   

[snyprrr]

Unless I see the musicians crowded into closets and a dining room and in kitchen hallways, and hear the synthesizers being beaten, I will not believe.

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/f1CPFf1luOg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/f1CPFf1luOg</a>

This reminds of the Wonder Automobile Company, whose slogan was:

"If it runs, it's a Wonder!"   

I saw that the other day... jaw still on floor...

If he's so "genius", perfect pitch/rhythm- then why does he write amorphous stuff?? Is it to ease his hyper-precision?

[(poco) Sforzando]

Unless I see the musicians crowded into closets and a dining room and in kitchen hallways, and hear the synthesizers being beaten, I will not believe.

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/f1CPFf1luOg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/f1CPFf1luOg</a>

This reminds of the Wonder Automobile Company, whose slogan was:

"If it runs, it's a Wonder!"   

I lasted about 45 seconds. It's too derivative of symphony #238.

[Mirror Image]

I'm not sure what Segerstam's Symphony No. 151 is supposed to be, but 10 seconds in and I ran for help.

[Cato]

I lasted about 45 seconds. It's too derivative of symphony #238.

 

I saw that the other day... jaw still on floor...

If he's so "genius", perfect pitch/rhythm- then why does he write amorphous stuff?? Is it to ease his hyper-precision?

"Amorphousness" is his style! 

[k a rl h e nn i ng]

I lasted about 45 seconds. It's too derivative of symphony #238.

ROFLMAO

[k a rl h e nn i ng]

"Amorphousness" is his style! 

His music can only bring synpppps pain . . . .

[Cato]

His music can only bring synpppps pain . . . .

I suspect that the Symphony #237 and everything composed after Symphony #97 1/2 may well be a non-analgesic deconstruction of Snorri Sturluson's Heimskringla combined with that famous folk-song Did Someone Call Me Schnorrer?.

Hence the pain! 

An early work: compare the two!

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/KKqRxgarjdc" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/KKqRxgarjdc</a>

[Rons_talking]

A comment from BIS Records founder/CEO Robert von Bahr:

"Segerstam is presumably the greatest musical genius I will ever come across: he reads a score - ANY score - better than I read a Swedish daily. He has perfect pitch down to the tiniest degree and perfect rhythm as well - wake him up in the middle of the night and ask for tempo 167 and it comes. He has the unbeatable record of composed symphonies, pushing towards 300 now (which is about his IQ as well)."

I've heard roughly the same description applied to dozens of modern composers. My reaction is "So What?" So he's just like 1000 conductors and performing musicians around the world. The music I've listened to like a set of instructions. I don't dislike it...But credentials don't make the music. How many Boulez recordings and writings are there where there is not a reference to his great ear, uncanny rhythm and mathmatical training? The whole "the music HAS to be good because the creator can sing three symphonies at once while frying his eggs and making hash browns" seems to apologize in advance for the music.

[The new erato]

I wouldn't trust any composer that eats hashed browns.

[snyprrr]

I suspect that the Symphony #237 and everything composed after Symphony #97 1/2 may well be a non-analgesic deconstruction of Snorri Sturluson's Heimskringla combined with that famous folk-song Did Someone Call Me Schnorrer?.

Hence the pain! 

An early work: compare the two!

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/KKqRxgarjdc" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/KKqRxgarjdc</a>

Segerstam's genius has stayed the course over the decades, lol!!

:Amorphous is my bag, baby!"

[ritter]

......But credentials don't make the music. How many Boulez recordings and writings are there where there is not a reference to his great ear, uncanny rhythm and mathmatical training? ...

The answer to your question is quite easy: a whole lot of--excellent--recordings by Boulez don't make any reference to those qualities you mention...What Boulez (a notoriously self-critical composer, whose complete works fit on less than 13 CDs ) has to do in the discussion of Mr. Segerstams's 151st (!!!) symphony, beats me 

[(poco) Sforzando]

Hey, Segerstam is nothing compared to this guy:

http://carsoncooman.com/

Born in 1982, he's already reached op. 1140, which you can download (sounds like he spent less time writing it than it takes to play). By the time you inspect the site, he'll surely be up to op. 1200 if not beyond. Take that, Leif!

[PerfectWagnerite]

The answer to your question is quite easy: a whole lot of--excellent--recordings by Boulez don't make any reference to those qualities you mention...What Boulez (a notoriously self-critical composer, whose complete works fit on less than 13 CDs ) has to do in the discussion of Mr. Segerstams's 151st (!!!) symphony, beats me 

Is that 151 symphonies or 1 symphony written 151 times?

[ritter]

Is that 151 symphonies or 1 symphony written 151 times?

I'm in no position to answer that question, I'm afarid, as I must confess I have neither the time nor the inclination to listen to them all...

[(poco) Sforzando]

I'm in no position to answer that question, I'm afarid, as I must confess I have neither the time nor the inclination to listen to them all...

Is there a box set? And does it allow for expansion, when he gets around to writing the next 50 or 60 next month?

[Cato]

Segerstam's genius has stayed the course over the decades, lol!!

:Amorphous is my bag, baby!"

Leif the Lucky c. 1016

Leif the Amorphous c. 2016

Is that 151 symphonies or 1 symphony written 151 times?

Would it be unfair to call the Segerstam oeuvre 275 (and counting) Variations on My First Symphony ?

[k a rl h e nn i ng]

Is that 151 symphonies or 1 symphony written 151 times?

I marvel that he can keep them straight, himself.  (I mean, assuming for the sake of argument that he does.)