Bo Linde (1933 - 1970)

[Mirror Image]

Born in Gävle on 1st January 1933, died there on 2nd October 1970. His first music teachers, while he was still at school, were Eric Bengtsson and
May Bökman. Later on Linde came to study composition with Lars-Erik Larsson at the State Academy of Music in Stockholm in 1948. He studied conducting in Vienna in 1953-1954. He taught the theory of music at the Stockholm Citizens' School 1957-1960 and subsequently worked mainly in Gävle as a composer, pianist and music reviewer for the Gefle Dagblad Newspaper.

A relaxed, fresh elegance was the leitmotiv of his approach to music, but this is not to say that his moods are invariably carefree. Quiet reflection and melancholy radiate from his mode of expression without ever going to the extreme of dismal gloom. This happiness at coming to terms with the potentialities of the musical craft invests his compositions with the dual character of inspiration and thorough knowledge. He composed in classically conceived forms with moderate thematic development, a conversation in the relationship between dignified melodies and other, more boisterously conceived phrases.

[Article taken from the Swedish Music Information Centre]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bo Linde is most definitely one of those composers who fell through the cracks for me. I was so busy exploring other Swedish composer like Alfven, Pettersson, Rangstrom, and Atterberg that I completely looked over Linde. How mistaken I was! Anyway, this composer does have some Neoclassical residue that has rubbed off on several works, but his personal voice is of inherent sadness, but he doesn't succumb to despair but rather his music gives off of an air of isolation and loneliness.

For those who haven't checked out Linde's music, start with the Violin Concerto.

[snyprrr]

All I have is the String Quartet (1953; Caprice)), but, yes, it has THAT sound! He's definitely the kind you want to get everything by. Always getting him confused with Bo Nilsson. Quite handsome too! Didn't he commit suicide?

[Mirror Image]

I need to listen to his SQ, I have the series of his orchestral music on the Swedish Society label (there's three volumes in all). I didn't even realize I owned these CDs until last week, so I put them on my to-listen-to pile.

Edit: I already listened to the concerti recording and loved it.

[Mirror Image]

I just listened to the SQ via YouTube and it was a really nice work. I'm not a fan of SQs like snyprrr is, but will admit it was a good, thoughtful piece.

[Mirror Image]

I wish I could find some Linde to link to this thread so people could hear his music.

[Mirror Image]

Has anyone heard Linde's Violin Concerto? Absolutely gorgeous.

[snyprrr]

Has anyone heard Linde's Violin Concerto? Absolutely gorgeous.

It looks like the Naxos AND the Swedish label are the same performance? Or do you have the BIS?

[Mirror Image]

It looks like the Naxos AND the Swedish label are the same performance? Or do you have the BIS?

I own the Swedish Society recordings. They're all hybrid SACDs.

[Mirror Image]

Did I mention my love for Linde's Violin Concerto? This is such an incredibly moving work. I don't think I've even given the Cello Concerto a fair shake yet because I'm stuck on the VC. This VC is in two movements with many different sections marking different tempi. Why this work hasn't entered into the violin repertoire is beyond me.

[snyprrr]

Did I mention my love for Linde's Violin Concerto? This is such an incredibly moving work. I don't think I've even given the Cello Concerto a fair shake yet because I'm stuck on the VC. This VC is in two movements with many different sections marking different tempi. Why this work hasn't entered into the violin repertoire is beyond me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiI4NBWxNUI

[Mirror Image]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiI4NBWxNUI

I found the audio quality for the Piano Concerto unbearable, snyprrr. I'm surprised the PC wasn't performed and released when the Swedish Society was putting out those three volumes of orchestral music.

[Mirror Image]

Didn't he commit suicide?

Unfortunately, yes, he did. A loss for the musical world for sure. I wonder why he committed suicide? Anyone know?

[snyprrr]

Unfortunately, yes, he did. A loss for the musical world for sure. I wonder why he committed suicide? Anyone know?

Svenska?

[North Star]

Unfortunately, yes, he did. A loss for the musical world for sure. I wonder why he committed suicide? Anyone know?

Wikipedia (English) says 'inexplicably', didn't find anything elsewhere, in Swedish or English.

[Symphonic Addict]

Playing his Symphony No.2, Op.23 "To the Lyons Club of Gävle". I recall having better recollections of this work.

The best music is to be found in the outer movements, but as a whole it could be seen like "cheap" stuff. Enjoyable enough.

[vandermolen]

I bought these CDs in 2008/9 and recall enjoying the VC: