Six undeservedly neglected composers.

[Lethevich]

I have looked at that Atterberg cpo boxed set & thought. Is it worth buying? The Eduard Tubin symphonies are another contendor!
Both are composer/symphonists who seem to garner allot of very favourable reviews and posts. In fact,there was quite a fuss about Tubin some years ago.
Mind you,some people probably hate them!

I usually love this repertoire, but I find Tubin a little magpie-like, and a touch cold-edged. He does deserve the praise, but it's not a style that is close to my heart, even in the outwardly attractive Sibelian-RVW-like 4th symphony. I think that if you check samples of Atterberg's cycle on Youtube (there is a fair bit) you might be won over quite quickly, as I was:

http://www.youtube.com/v/ArIFG5KOmKs

[cilgwyn]

Thank you. I DID rather like Tubin's Second symphony! I recorded it on a cassette,off Radio 3,back in the mid 80's. The Sixth is more strenuous,but quite exciting. (I tried the cassette of the Second recently and it STILL plays perfectly).
Despite this,I have NEVER bought a single Tubin cd. I think if I do invest in any Tubin it will probably be the Second.
Thank you for the Atterberg link. I will have a listen later on,after supper!

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

Tubin is energetic and a bit cold, I agree. I love symphonies 1, 4, 6 and 10...

[Lethevich]

I know that John is la-la about him, but does anyone have any comments on Rangström? Especially for someone who isn't too familiar with Stenhammer as a frame of reference (he's the usual comparison).

Edit: I second Tubin's 4th symphony too - it's undeniably beautiful and should be heard (although it's no doubt on Youtube too).

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

I know that John is la-la about him, but does anyone have any comments on Rangström? Especially for someone who isn't too familiar with Stenhammer as a frame of reference (he's the usual comparison).

Edit: I second Tubin's 4th symphony too - it's undeniably beautiful and should be heard (although it's no doubt on Youtube too).

Rangström's First Symphony is terrific (under Segerstam especially). All the others (in my opinion) are small beer.

[cilgwyn]

I seem to be alone on Tubin's Second! It stuck in the 'old mind',especially the way he incorporates a piano into the score. So,presumably the one's you mention are even better!
Rangstrom? Of course. He's the other one people rave about on message boards.
If I buy boxed sets of all three I might end up in a box myself!!!!!

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

Here is Rangström's First... A real scorcher.


http://www.mediafire.com/?nsl9t5mx79u6o

[mc ukrneal]

I know that John is la-la about him, but does anyone have any comments on Rangström? Especially for someone who isn't too familiar with Stenhammer as a frame of reference (he's the usual comparison).

Edit: I second Tubin's 4th symphony too - it's undeniably beautiful and should be heard (although it's no doubt on Youtube too).

I like Stenhammar, but Rangstrom does not bring him to mind for me (maybe he should, but does not), thinking of the symphonies. I wish I could put my finger on what other composer he reminds me of. There is some Bruckner sound here, with a bit of Ravel at times (without the eroticism - it's that woodwind sound he sometimes seems to resemble). The brass play a heavy role in the symphonies and create some great sonorities (which is why I say Bruckner, though he is not really an entirely good comparison). Reminds me of Bax in some ways too. I'm not sure if I am helping you much. The set on CPO is excellent. He really has his own sound - perhaps that is why I am having so much trouble with the comparisons.

[Brian]

I usually love this repertoire, but I find Tubin a little magpie-like, and a touch cold-edged. He does deserve the praise, but it's not a style that is close to my heart, even in the outwardly attractive Sibelian-RVW-like 4th symphony. I think that if you check samples of Atterberg's cycle on Youtube (there is a fair bit) you might be won over quite quickly, as I was:

http://www.youtube.com/v/ArIFG5KOmKs

The finale of that Atterberg symphony (3) is outrageous and heartwarming and gets to my eyes every time - in fact, has been known to 'get to me' even thinking about it. Might be the most purely, fully, unabashedly beautiful music I've ever heard.

About to go cook up some Indian food, but thanks to Johan I think I'll be hearing some Rangström for dessert.

[Dundonnell]

Rangstrom?  Atterberg in a very angry mood   A romantic Allan Pettersson?

No, seriously....Rangstrom is great 'fun'. Yes, he was a much better song-composer, no doubt, but his symphonies have tended to be ignored in favour of those by fellow Swedes like Alfven and Atterberg. I really like them because they are 'tough romantic' compositions with bite and power(and yes a good dash of bombastic grandeur too ). They are probably more tone poems than symphonies if truth be told.

I would need to listen to No.4 again to remind myself of what it sounds lke but there is a lot of impressive-sounding music in Nos.1-3 and I would strongly recommend Nos. 2 and 3.

[mc ukrneal]

Rangstrom?  Atterberg in a very angry mood   A romantic Allan Pettersson?

No, seriously....Rangstrom is great 'fun'. Yes, he was a much better song-composer, no doubt, but his symphonies have tended to be ignored in favour of those by fellow Swedes like Alfven and Atterberg. I really like them because they are 'tough romantic' compositions with bite and power(and yes a good dash of bombastic grandeur too ). They are probably more tone poems than symphonies if truth be told.

I would need to listen to No.4 again to remind myself of what it sounds lke but there is a lot of impressive-sounding music in Nos.1-3 and I would strongly recommend Nos. 2 and 3.

You have described his music better than I could I think.

[Lethevich]

Sounds like Rangström will be my next pick-up - all the descriptions offered make a lot of sense to me. Alfvén always had a mildly granitic edge (sometimes coming to prominence in works like the 4th symphony) and I would like to hear more of that. I especially like the hints towards a potential Baxian energetic style and "lost in the forests" kind of atmosphere, and perhaps my expectations of a bit less of Bax's rich scoring and meanderings could only benefit such a style.

I'll grab that link, thanks Johan.

[cilgwyn]

Sounds EXTREMELY tempting,to say the least.
So that's only Atterberg,Tubin,Rangstrom,Wellesz and 'Hello Baliff's'!
Actually,Rangstrom sounds (at least,narrowly) the MOST tempting! And largely self taught?!!!
  There is another Scandinavian symphonist that also intrigues me,a little. Louis Glass. I know there is someone on Musicweb who rates his fifth symphony very highly. Is he any good? The available recordings seem of variable quality.

[springrite]

  There is another Scandinavian symphonist that also intrigues me,a little. Louis Glass. I know there is someone on Musicweb who rates his fifth symphony very highly. Is he any good? The available recordings seem of variable quality.

He is certainly not in the same class as the names mentioned before, save the Bailiff, maybe.

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

Sounds EXTREMELY tempting,to say the least.
So that's only Atterberg,Tubin,Rangstrom,Wellesz and 'Hello Baliff's'!
Actually,Rangstrom sounds (at least,narrowly) the MOST tempting! And largely self taught?!!!
  There is another Scandinavian symphonist that also intrigues me,a little. Louis Glass. I know there is someone on Musicweb who rates his fifth symphony very highly. Is he any good? The available recordings seem of variable quality.

I know Glass's 'Symphonia Svastica' (!, no 5) and I like it.

[cilgwyn]

One of Glass's symphonies is about forests or woods and might just tempt me,ONE day,as I've always been very keen on woodland,for some reason. But the recordings all sound a bit like 'doofers'.
The reviews of Rangstrom's symphonies are full of mouth watering descriptions. But,I've got one,thanks to Johan,so the rest will,sadly,have to wait,or I'll be busking outside Tesco.
Atterberg's scores have been described as 'cinematic, A scandinavian Howard Hanson? Although Hanson's parents were Scandinavian,weren't they? And it shows in his music. Now he's a composer I DO know.

[cilgwyn]

Rob Barnett rates it extremely highly. I quote,"you must hear this".
I get the feeling Louis Glass could benefit from a cpo or Bis style survey?

[Brian]

Atterberg's scores have been described as 'cinematic, A scandinavian Howard Hanson?

Hmm, I like Atterberg a LOT more than Hanson.

[Lethevich]

Hmm, I like Atterberg a LOT more than Hanson.

He's certainly a level above - nothing really in terms of "innovation", but simple mastery of his own symphonic world. When comparing just the orchestration, Atterberg is revealed as a virtuoso in comparison. I still like Hanson though.

Also, these mentions of Louis Glass remind me - I haven't heard a note by him. So many of these guys to investigate!

[cilgwyn]

The variable nature of the recordings of Glass has always put me off. Also,some of the best ones have been deleted & you get people asking all these ridiculous prices. He DOES sound quite interesting,but he's not at the top of my 'list'. A really first rate cycle along cpo or Bis lines with really good reviews is the sort of thing that might just tempt me.
If I had to single out one piece of music by Hanson that IS really top notch (& by that,I don't mean that I think it's a masterpiece),I would pick his 'Lament for Beowulf'. Filmic,but thrilling!
If you like that sort of thing!!!