Kurt Atterberg (1887-1974)

[kyjo]

I should think it's just a very breathy, soft "g" that makes it sound a little like an indistinct "berry".

Ah ok, that seems likely. Thanks!

[kyjo]

Looking back through this thread, I don't see much mention of Atterberg's very fine First Symphony, which, for me, is just a notch below his best symphonies (2, 3, and 5 IMO). The first movement is dramatic and melancholy, and the slow movement is gorgeous and expansive (in typical Atterberg fashion). The scherzo, one of Atterberg's few symphonic scherzi (as most of his symphonies are in three movements), is dazzling and colorful. I think the slow introduction to the finale is one of Atterberg's finest moments, and a unique one in his output - it has an almost Bachian simplicity and poignancy that is quite affecting. The main body of the finale features one of those great, heroic horn themes that Atterberg excelled at.

[vandermolen]

Looking back through this thread, I don't see much mention of Atterberg's very fine First Symphony, which, for me, is just a notch below his best symphonies (2, 3, and 5 IMO). The first movement is dramatic and melancholy, and the slow movement is gorgeous and expansive (in typical Atterberg fashion). The scherzo, one of Atterberg's few symphonic scherzi (as most of his symphonies are in three movements), is dazzling and colorful. I think the slow introduction to the finale is one of Atterberg's finest moments, and a unique one in his output - it has an almost Bachian simplicity and poignancy that is quite affecting. The main body of the finale features one of those great, heroic horn themes that Atterberg excelled at.

Thanks Kyle - must listen to this. Don't know it at all.

[North Star]

I seem to recall reading somewhere that "Atterberg" is pronounced "Atterberry". Is this true? 

Atterbarry actually, and the g is silent. And Kurt with a short u (as the u in full).

[Mirror Image]

Looking back through this thread, I don't see much mention of Atterberg's very fine First Symphony, which, for me, is just a notch below his best symphonies (2, 3, and 5 IMO). The first movement is dramatic and melancholy, and the slow movement is gorgeous and expansive (in typical Atterberg fashion). The scherzo, one of Atterberg's few symphonic scherzi (as most of his symphonies are in three movements), is dazzling and colorful. I think the slow introduction to the finale is one of Atterberg's finest moments, and a unique one in his output - it has an almost Bachian simplicity and poignancy that is quite affecting. The main body of the finale features one of those great, heroic horn themes that Atterberg excelled at.

Since you've 'blocked' me from private messaging you, I'll just post my message here:

I'm not sure why you haven't bothered acknowledging my private message to you through Facebook, which I 'unfriended' you as a consequence, but, and I'll say it again, I do NOT appreciate you calling me out on this forum and belittling me by calling me 'narrow-minded'. My point about Finnish composers is I have heard none finer than Sibelius, which is an opinion that still stands. I do like Aho a good bit, but I just haven't found any Finn with the uniqueness of Sibelius. Look, if you don't want to be my friend, that's perfectly fine by me and I'll gladly turn my nose up at you whenever I see any of your posts (as I can play your childish game, too), but I do believe I deserve at least an apology as you're the one who initiated this whole issue by your thoughtless comment that couldn't have been further from the truth.

[Florestan]

Since you've 'blocked' me from private messaging you, I'll just post my message here:

I'm not sure why you haven't bothered acknowledging my private message to you through Facebook, which I 'unfriended' you as a consequence, but, and I'll say it again, I do NOT appreciate you calling me out on this forum and belittling me by calling me 'narrow-minded'. My point about Finnish composers is I have heard none finer than Sibelius, which is an opinion that still stands. I do like Aho a good bit, but I just haven't found any Finn with the uniqueness of Sibelius. Look, if you don't want to be my friend, that's perfectly fine by me and I'll gladly turn my nose up at you whenever I see any of your posts (as I can play your childish game, too), but I do believe I deserve at least an apology as you're the one who initiated this whole issue by your thoughtless comment that couldn't have been further from the truth.

Oh, come on, John! I happen to have been an incidental witness of that instance and I took kyjo's comment as being tongue in cheek; furthermore, he is one of the kindest and least conflictual posters. I think you overreact(ed) to it and then he might have taken your overrreaction way too seriously! I believe you two guys should just shake shands over this unfortunate misunderstanding and be friends again. It's a pity to see you too at war with each other.

[Baron Scarpia]

+1

[SymphonicAddict]

Oh, come on, John! I happen to have been an incidental witness of that instance and I took kyjo's comment as being tongue in cheek; furthermore, he is one of the kindest and least conflictual posters. I think you overreact(ed) to it and then he might have taken your overrreaction way too seriously! I believe you two guys should just shake shands over this unfortunate misunderstanding and be friends again. It's a pity to see you too at war with each other.

I agree with all you wrote.

[Mirror Image]

Oh, come on, John! I happen to have been an incidental witness of that instance and I took kyjo's comment as being tongue in cheek; furthermore, he is one of the kindest and least conflictual posters. I think you overreact(ed) to it and then he might have taken your overrreaction way too seriously! I believe you two guys should just shake shands over this unfortunate misunderstanding and be friends again. It's a pity to see you too at war with each other.

I'll shake hands if agrees to do the same, but as it stands right now, he still has me on block nor has he acknowledged my previous post or the private message I sent him via Facebook.

[Brian]

I know nothing about the silly personal quarrel but I do know that Atterberg was frequently Americanized at Ellis Island as ending in Y. When I was a kid, there was a nearby US Army training ground called Camp Atterbury.

[SymphonicAddict]

I was unaware of this new release (until now):



Does anyone have that CD? It's the first commercial recording of the Double Concerto.

[relm1]

Nice!  You should post it in the "New Releases" thread so others who aren't already fans of Atterberg can be exposed to this. 

[SymphonicAddict]

Good idea!

[kyjo]

I was unaware of this new release (until now):




Does anyone have that CD? It's the first commercial recording of the Double Concerto.

Fantastic! Thanks for notifying us, Cesar.

[relm1]

Atterberg doesn't get enough love.  Yes, yes, he might not be the most original or innovative but he is still an excellent composer of such beautiful music.  Though I love thorny music, Atterberg is one of the most consistently pleasing composers I ever listen to.  I am currently listening to this recording:


...and it stops me in my tracks with how beautiful it is.  I have never heard the Barocco Suite before but damn it's gorgeous!  I had it on in the background and it demanded my attention.  Why isn't there a complete recording of one of Aterberg's operas yet or a complete set of his suites?  Every one I have heard has been gorgeous and very finely crafted. 

[kyjo]

Atterberg doesn't get enough love.  Yes, yes, he might not be the most original or innovative but he is still an excellent composer of such beautiful music.  Though I love thorny music, Atterberg is one of the most consistently pleasing composers I ever listen to.  I am currently listening to this recording:


...and it stops me in my tracks with how beautiful it is.  I have never heard the Barocco Suite before but damn it's gorgeous!  I had it on in the background and it demanded my attention.  Why isn't there a complete recording of one of Aterberg's operas yet or a complete set of his suites?  Every one I have heard has been gorgeous and very finely crafted.

Well, Atterberg certainly gets enough love from me, at least! I totally agree, he was a remarkably consistently inspired composer; I've never heard a weak work from his pen. (Even his relatively disappointing 9th Symphony is nowhere near bad.)

Yes, the Suite Barocco is gorgeous, especially the 5th movement, Siciliana. We do indeed urgently need recordings of his complete operas and suites, not to mention his two ballets and numerous vocal works including a Requiem...

[André]

There is a theme on the violin in the first movement of the concerto that reminds me strongly of another music. But what exactly?

It occurs at 2:57 and 12:48 in this recording, probably 10-15 seconds earlier in the CPO disc, which clocks at 2 minutes less overall than this one.

Anyone cares to listen to the passage and try to identify it?

[vandermolen]

There is a theme on the violin in the first movement of the concerto that reminds me strongly of another music. But what exactly?

It occurs at 2:57 and 12:48 in this recording, probably 10-15 seconds earlier in the CPO disc, which clocks at 2 minutes less overall than this one.

Anyone cares to listen to the passage and try to identify it?

I listened to the CPO version on You Tube but nothing obviously came to mind, although I was reminded a bit of the Sibelius VC.

[André]

I can't say I find a sibelian influence here. I do hear plenty of delian connections in both works, but that theme is not one of them. The plot thickens...

[JBS]

I listened to the VC a couple of weeks ago, in the CPO version, and remember thinking "that sounds familiar but I can't place it". I will try to listen to it tomorrow.

BTW, why are we discussing WPB's concerto in the Atterberg thread?