Wilhelm Stenhammar (1871-1927)

[André]

The concertos and symphonies have been covered very well, and the string quartets have rightly been mentioned, too. For further exploration of this very sensitive composer I suggest going for these:




Neal mentioned this disc before. It's a most enticing collection of Stenhammar works in different genres. The Song is IMHO his best work. The 2 Sentimental Romances are on the same plane as Reger's, if a bit less impassioned. Strongly recommended.

Other excellent discs to explore include these:



A wonderful collection of his songs, with a young von Otter, heard here at her best. Hagegard is excellent too (he was revealed as Papageno in the Ingmar Bergman film and subsequently developed an international career).


A very young Salonen conducts the famous Serenade and the music from Chitra. The swedish rhapsody Midvinter is wonderful, too.





I've plugged the Ballads disc a couple of times before. It contains a treasure of late romantic vocal ballads, sensitive and bardic by Stenhammar, Peterson-Berger and Rangström. Contents here:



And for a conspectus of his piano music, this Naxos disc is an excellent introduction. The sonata is an important work:

[vandermolen]

I only really know Symphony 2 which is a wonderful work, especially in the Caprice recording.

[André]

My first exposure to Stenhammar was via the LP of symphony # 1 under Järvi/Gothenburg. Found the music pleasant, uneventful, with vast stretches of note spinning. But its brucknerisms (they are there) eventually won me over  . That being said, the symphonies may not reveal Stenhammar at his best.

First on a recommendation list would be The Song, of which there are a few recordings. Available at a reasonable price on Amazon uk:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stenhammar-Song-Sentimental-Romances-Ithaca/dp/B000000UGN/ref=sr_1_7?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1516728579&sr=1-7&keywords=Stenhammar+the+song

The Brillant set of 3 discs is a good place to start too. Good program, generous timings, cheap price:

[Mirror Image]

My first exposure to Stenhammar was via the LP of symphony # 1 under Järvi/Gothenburg. Found the music pleasant, uneventful, with vast stretches of note spinning. But its brucknerisms (they are there) eventually won me over  . That being said, the symphonies may not reveal Stenhammar at his best.

Symphony No. 1 isn't a memorable work, but Symphony No. 2 is a masterpiece, IMHO. Quite possibly the first Swedish symphony that could be classified as such.

[SymphonicAddict]

I recall being impressed by the two piano concertos when I listened them some time ago. And yes, the 2nd symphony is a masterpiece. Certainly a strong favorite of mine amongst Nordic works by anyone.

[Daverz]

I'll go further with the praise for Westerberg's Symphony No. 2.  Järvi is just dull in his 2 recordings.  Stig is the man!

I also love his recording of the Serenade.

[asin]B000024ZPA[/asin]

[vandermolen]

My first exposure to Stenhammar was via the LP of symphony # 1 under Järvi/Gothenburg. Found the music pleasant, uneventful, with vast stretches of note spinning. But its brucknerisms (they are there) eventually won me over  . That being said, the symphonies may not reveal Stenhammar at his best.

First on a recommendation list would be The Song, of which there are a few recordings. Available at a reasonable price on Amazon uk:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stenhammar-Song-Sentimental-Romances-Ithaca/dp/B000000UGN/ref=sr_1_7?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1516728579&sr=1-7&keywords=Stenhammar+the+song

The Brillant set of 3 discs is a good place to start too. Good program, generous timings, cheap price:

I have this set but need to listen properly to it. Thanks for the encouragement Andre.

[MN Dave]

I need to check out this fellow. Heard a bit of "As You Like It" on the radio this morning and ... liked it. Thanks for this thread.

[SymphonicAddict]

I need to check out this fellow. Heard a bit of "As You Like It" on the radio this morning and ... liked it. Thanks for this thread.

Are you familiar with his symphonies and other works? Almost all is compelling. The 2nd Symphony is his magnum opus, others claim that is the Serenade for orchestra in F major.

[MN Dave]

Are you familiar with his symphonies and other works? Almost all is compelling. The 2nd Symphony is his magnum opus, others claim that is the Serenade for orchestra in F major.

Thank you.

I heard the symphony last night and it was pleasing enough. I'll have to check out that Serenade.

[SymphonicAddict]

Thank you.

I heard the symphony last night and it was pleasing enough. I'll have to check out that Serenade.

Be sure to listen to the string quartets, piano concertos, the Violin Sonata (so lovely), Midvinter and Snöfrid as well. I don't know his piano music, but I suppose it's delectable too.

[Roasted Swan]

Check out the very new BIS disc from Jarvi of the Cantata "Sangen"

[asin]B07FSGMLD6[/asin]

excellent performance and really superb BIS SA-CD sound

[71 dB]

I listened on Spotify the Naxos disc of Serenade and other stuff. I liked Florez och Blanzeflor, Op. 3, which gave me a bit Elgar-vibes.

Check out the very new BIS disc from Jarvi of the Cantata "Sangen"

[asin]B07FSGMLD6[/asin]

excellent performance and really superb BIS SA-CD sound

I'm sure that's the case, but the covert "art" is dull as hell. Looks like the portrait of the CEO of a large bank. 

[calyptorhynchus]

Just listened to the Symphony No.2.... what happens in the finale? three quite good movements and then a bit of activity and suddenly all momentum is lost and not regained.
Quite disappointing

[vandermolen]

Just listened to the Symphony No.2.... what happens in the finale? three quite good movements and then a bit of activity and suddenly all momentum is lost and not regained.
Quite disappointing

Which recording? The Caprice is the best.

[calyptorhynchus]

Yes, the caprice, though as it seems to be a structural problem I imagine all recordings would encounter the problem.

[vandermolen]

Yes, the caprice, though as it seems to be a structural problem I imagine all recordings would encounter the problem.

I must listen again but I have to say that I've always greatly enjoyed that symphony.

[André]

+1

I recall appreciating the brucknerian tinge of no 1 but I realize I can't recall the musical specifics of no 2. In the listening pile it goes !

[vandermolen]

Ok, here's my question.
If I have this recording do I need to have the Blomstedt version?

[kyjo]

Ok, here's my question.
If I have this recording do I need to have the Blomstedt version?

Westerberg's recording is often considered definitive but I enjoyed Blomstedt's just as much if not more, partly due to the marvelous BIS sonics.