Pettersson's Pavilion

[karlhenning]

But they can be set in stone. 

Ah well - during the 1980s Havergal Brian was my composer of the century. That's what enthusiasm and identification can do to you. I recognise it...

We're here for you, bud! 

dm: Here come de judge!

[BachQ]

Sef has formulated an inquiry relating to Pettersson's VC #2; specifically, Sef queries "Can anyone tell me whether the newer release on CPO is worth finding?"

[paulb]

The CPO version is different from the original version which is on the Caprice label, may be hard to find.
Yes start with the CPO, and later try to find the Caprice.
Both have their worth.
The finest violin concerto ever written, IM humble, honest O
But definetly not for the weak at heart.

[Guido]

OK I just listened again to the second violin concerto and it is really rather good. Quite brilliant. Ignore my post on the first page! What is the background and story to this piece?

[paulb]

OK I just listened again to the second violin concerto and it is really rather good. Quite brilliant. Ignore my post on the first page! What is the background and story to this piece?

I know what you are thinking
Something this potent full of raw power and energy, unlike anything you've ever heard, whats behind it, what was Pettersson trying to get across and what was going on in his life at the time.
Good luck, I can only listen and intuit what he's trying to get across. Each time i listen, which is rare as the work is too overwhelming, i gather pieces of his message.
in 10-20 yrs I'll know very clearly his language, the meaning. I'm too young to know fully right now.
and i assume you have the CPO? The *revised version*, "the watered down version"

[Sef]

Unless I have you mixed up Paul, are you saying the Caprice is superior? This version is available on the naxosmusiclibrary. Even if you don't have a subscription, and you don't mind choosing the right place to start in the piece, you can listen to 15 minutes free - just in case you want an idea of how it may differ from the CPO. As I don't own the CPO, my question was whether it was worth the effort to find it given that I can listen to the Caprice when I like on Naxos?

[paulb]

Hi Sef
I was not aware Naxos had a  recording.
i have the CPO and Caprice.
Yes the Caprice is the original, and it was suggested to Pettersson by a few acquaintances (he had no real close friends) that he might consider to *tone it own a bit*. = *water it down a  bit*.
S the original has been compromised in the revised version/CPO.
that said i am still happy to have the CPO, as the Caprice really isa  demanding.
When i said the 2nd vc is the greatest vc ever composed, IM humble honest O, I am speaking of the original. though a case can be made for the revised as well.
It would have been nice for CPO to include both vc's and the chamber concertos in the complete sym set offering. But then the price would be over the $100 mark.

[Sef]

Naxos don't. But they do stream the Caprice! $15 a month though. Not available on the $20 a year subscription unfortunately.

[paulb]

Naxos don't. But they do stream the Caprice! $15 a month though. Not available on the $20 a year subscription unfortunately.

Pretty amazing, this technology. Especially when it concerns one of THE greatest  vc's ever written, and the cd is OOP.
Now this is a  very positive thing in the classical musical industry.
But with me, I need to feel the cd in my hands, and play it on mysystem.
however this *streaming* isa   good way to know the work , w/o having to fork out $$.
The $20/month fee is well worth it just to hear this vc each month, all else is bonus.
very surprising to see Naxos offer this cd on its services.
Do you know if they offer the sym 12 /Caprice?

[Sef]

$15 (or 15 Euros) a month. And yes, Symphony 12 on Caprice (with Concerto for Strings No. 1) is there. I'm listening to it now. They say that it is CD, or near CD quality. If I had a computer worth its salt then I might be able to test that claim. I for one don't really care about "feeling" a CD cover but it has to be good quality. Maybe I need to upgrade my PC next, or at least buy a decent sound card and speakers.

[paulb]

WOW sym 12/caprice as well.
Not sure why Naxos would include such stream offerings on a  unknown composers, and cds that are OOP.
Now everyone can acess this music.  I am not in favor of streaming, downloads , as it takes away from cd sales.
But in a  case like this, its  a  very good thing.
Will the Naxos site allow for downloading of those 2 cds onto your computer's harddrive?

Yes you want to get a  good speaker system for your computer to hear these 2 recordings.
Does Naxos offer other OOP recordings from other labels?

[Sean]

Good grief, not more of this stupid thread. Petterson was a third-rate composer at absolute best- what is all this???

[BachQ]

Good grief, not more of this stupid thread. Petterson was a third-rate composer at absolute best- what is all this???

Our dearest Sean:

Thank you for that blast of reality.  It's appropriate for us to realign our composer hierarchies in light of this new information .........

[Sef]

No Paul, no downloading allowed. Listen as much as you want though. In time, the centre of all music and entertainment systems in the home will be a computer. The subscription model of music delivery is one I think that will ultimately prevail, and I would not be surprised if CDs become a thing of the past in a few years. Technology moves on so quickly that it's hard to see where's it will ultimately lead, and there's a lot of opportunity for some to make big business out of it - those with vision that is. The rest will fall beside the way. In the meantime I have decided to let my local public library purchase the CPO VC2 on my behalf. That way, not only can I enjoy it (albeit in 3 months time when they finally get it), but it will be available for all. Win-win I say!

As for your other questions. It is a legitimate site, so royalties are paid according to what you listen to. All you are not paying for is the physical media. The best way to see what they have is to search the catalog at www.naxosmusiclibrary.com - choose the free 15 minute trial and take a quick tour. Happy browsing.

[Ephemerid]

Good grief, not more of this stupid thread. Petterson was a third-rate composer at absolute best- what is all this???

Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning... 

[greg]

Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning... 

oh, he doesn't sleep in a bed.....

[Guido]

Yes I have the Caprice recording. The piece seems to me to be, to put it crudely' some kind of journey, probably spiritual, from beginning to end. The way it goes from almost atonal hystronics to almost completely tonal calm at the end and every degree in between, gradually peeling away the violence and dissonance, seems to be a brilliantly accomplished instance of a fairly common idea in 20th century composition. Or is this to be seen as a purely musical idea?

I am far from convinced on his symphonies though... I said that a year ago about the VC, so maybe I just need time! I will listen to that CD you sent me Sean.

[The new erato]

Some of his symphonies makes a powerful emotional impact (and I love them); that doesn't in my view automatically make him a great composer (which I doubt he is).

[Grazioso]

Some of his symphonies makes a powerful emotional impact (and I love them); that doesn't in my view automatically make him a great composer (which I doubt he is).

I guess it depends on how one defines greatness in classical music. In his chosen niche (mostly focusing on symphonies), he could certainly achieve greatness, as with the 7th, which is both powerfully moving and beautifully constructed.

[The new erato]

Making an emotional impact is certainly only one aspect of a great work, lots of popular music stirs the emotions very powerfully.