Pettersson's Pavilion

Der lächelnde Schatten · May 28, 2025, 06:50:40 PM

Quote from: Symphonic Addict on May 28, 2025, 06:48:21 PMAm I the only one who likes his Sonatas for two violins? Truth be told, I enjoy them more than most of his symphonies.

They're quite good if you like that particular instrumentation. Personally, I'd prefer violin/cello. What other works from Pettersson are your favorites?

Karl Henning · May 28, 2025, 07:33:30 PM

Quote from: Der lächelnde Schatten on May 28, 2025, 06:18:30 PMYeah, Thomas' videos are getting better and better as his channel has progressed.

I like his work!

AnotherSpin · May 28, 2025, 09:05:12 PM

The constant mention of Pettersson's illness... But what did his physical condition have to do with anything? Music wasn't created by the body—not at all. One could be perfectly healthy and still put absolute nonsense on manuscript paper. There is no correlation whatsoever.

ChamberNut · June 25, 2025, 11:37:29 AM

FYI, great sale currently at Presto if anyone is interested in the Pettersson Complete Edition on BIS label. Both physical product and downloads on sale.

I just purchased it myself. Hat tip to @Der lächelnde Schatten

CRCulver · June 26, 2025, 06:08:12 PM

Quote from: AnotherSpin on May 28, 2025, 09:05:12 PMThe constant mention of Pettersson's illness... But what did his physical condition have to do with anything? Music wasn't created by the body—not at all. One could be perfectly healthy and still put absolute nonsense on manuscript paper. There is no correlation whatsoever.

I don't think that Pettersson himself was adverse to illness (and his abusive childhood) being seen as a part of his creative life. He talked about the Tenth coming out of a long hospital stay. He let the Swedish TV documentary, that BIS released as a supplemental DVD, show how much he was ailing.

AnotherSpin · June 26, 2025, 08:12:53 PM

Quote from: CRCulver on June 26, 2025, 06:08:12 PMI don't think that Pettersson himself was adverse to illness (and his abusive childhood) being seen as a part of his creative life. He talked about the Tenth coming out of a long hospital stay. He let the Swedish TV documentary, that BIS released as a supplemental DVD, show how much he was ailing.

The body suffered. Pettersson's music was not the result of his body's suffering.

DavidW · June 27, 2025, 05:30:21 AM

Quote from: AnotherSpin on June 26, 2025, 08:12:53 PMThe body suffered. Pettersson's music was not the result of his body's suffering.

I agree. I thought (from reading liner notes) that his illness and depression defined his music. But when I watched the included documentary in the box set, I saw a real person there. Pettersson could be very arrogant, angry, funny, enthusiastic. He is a complex person, and not just a lump of depression and pain. And his music making is a result of hard work, inspiration, and virtuosity. Not just a monotone bleating of sadness. I also didn't realize how amazingly skilled he was at playing the viola.

AnotherSpin · June 27, 2025, 05:56:20 AM

Quote from: DavidW on June 27, 2025, 05:30:21 AMI agree. I thought (from reading liner notes) that his illness and depression defined his music. But when I watched the included documentary in the box set, I saw a real person there. Pettersson could be very arrogant, angry, funny, enthusiastic. He is a complex person, and not just a lump of depression and pain. And his music making is a result of hard work, inspiration, and virtuosity. Not just a monotone bleating of sadness. I also didn't realize how amazingly skilled he was at playing the viola.

I can only add, or repeat: tense music (whether ugly, formless, or however you choose to describe it) comes from a tense mind. Physical conditions can affect the mind, but it doesn't have to. It may have no effect too. There are many examples of this, not only in music.