Favored Post-Sibelius Nordic Composer

[springrite]

I would add a couple of more recent, younger names to the list, namely, Salonen and Mustonen.

[The new erato]

Of those I actually know reasonably well:

Sallinen, Englund, Rosenberg, Larsson, Tveitt, Koppell sr. Maybe Pettersson, but despite me enjoying a few of his works immensely, he may be too "limited" to belong in that list.

Some I suspect belongs there from a few works I've heard, but where I need to (and intend to) listen more widely:

Nørgård,  Aho, Nordheim, Holmboe (I know the string quartets from one listening).

[vandermolen]

Aho, Lindberg, Holmboe, Pettersson, and Rautavaara are my favorite post-Sibelius Nordic composers.

I'd go along with this although I'm not really familiar with Lindberg. I like Madetoja's Second Symphony but I guess he doesn't count as he pre-deceased Sibelius, although belonging to a younger generation. I would add Aarre Merikanto (1893-1958), whose symphonies I am just exploring. As for individual works I'd select Holmboe symphs 6-8 and 10, Pettersson VC No 2 + symphs 6-8 and Rautavaara symphs 7 and 8.

[snyprrr]

I detect Sibelius as 'Objective', nature-based, whereas I find Pettersson totally 'Subjective', personal and emotional. So, that's why I didn't even think of Pettersson for this Thread.

I guess I meant more the 'Nordic Landscape', 'distance',... of which most of the other Composers it is their stock in trade.

How bout Gosta Nystrom,... the 'Sea' Symphony or what not?


Frankly, most of these guys seem to do pretty well with the cold dark colors.

Of those I actually know reasonably well:

Sallinen, Englund, Rosenberg, Larsson, Tveitt, Koppell sr. Maybe Pettersson, but despite me enjoying a few of his works immensely, he may be too "limited" to belong in that list.

Some I suspect belongs there from a few works I've heard, but where I need to (and intend to) listen more widely:

Nørgård,  Aho, Nordheim, Holmboe (I know the string quartets from one listening).

Haven't check Englund or Blomdahl or Nordgren yet. They have a few interesting Symphonies? 'Facets'?

[pencils]

How bout Gosta Nystrom,... the 'Sea' Symphony or what not?

Now, Nystrom/Nystroem (??) I like. Have been listening to the symphonies via dirty Youtube rips, and am greatly impressed...

[pjme]

Eivind Groven from Norway is an interesting figure. His music is mostly based on  folk music, but has a wonderful "gravitas" that I find quite enchanting. Try both symphonies and the pianoconcerto.

The wikipedia article is very informative.

P.

[vandermolen]

I detect Sibelius as 'Objective', nature-based, whereas I find Pettersson totally 'Subjective', personal and emotional. So, that's why I didn't even think of Pettersson for this Thread.

I guess I meant more the 'Nordic Landscape', 'distance',... of which most of the other Composers it is their stock in trade.

How bout Gosta Nystrom,... the 'Sea' Symphony or what not?


Frankly, most of these guys seem to do pretty well with the cold dark colors.


Haven't check Englund or Blomdahl or Nordgren yet. They have a few interesting Symphonies? 'Facets'?

The Nystroem 'Sinfonia del Mare' is a super work that I have three recordings of. Rob Barnett always enthused about it on Musicweb. The slow movement is especially eloquent. The other post-Sibelus 'Nordic Landscape' composer who comes to mind is Klaus Egge, whose Symphony No 1 has echoes of the sea (it is dedicated to the Norwegian merchant seamen who lost their lives in World War Two. I have seen it compared with Walton's First Symphony, which, I believe, is not an unreasonable comparison. Unfortunately the best recorded performance (Hegge) is not on CD but there is a perfectly serviceable version with Karsten Andersen and the Bergen PO (Aurora, from a Phillips original). Unfortunately the recording is a bit 'boxed in' - but I like the work very much. His String Quartet (Naxos) is also good.

[vandermolen]

Eivind Groven from Norway is an interesting figure. His music is mostly based on  folk music, but has a wonderful "gravitas" that I find quite enchanting. Try both symphonies and the pianoconcerto.

The wikipedia article is very informative.

P.

Thanks. Just ordered his Symphony 1.

[Kontrapunctus]

Lindberg, Norgard, Pettersson, and Sepo Pohjola are among my favorites.

[snyprrr]

The Nystroem 'Sinfonia del Mare' is a super work that I have three recordings of. Rob Barnett always enthused about it on Musicweb. The slow movement is especially eloquent. The other post-Sibelus 'Nordic Landscape' composer who comes to mind is Klaus Egge, whose Symphony No 1 has echoes of the sea (it is dedicated to the Norwegian merchant seamen who lost their lives in World War Two. I have seen it compared with Walton's First Symphony, which, I believe, is not an unreasonable comparison. Unfortunately the best recorded performance (Hegge) is not on CD but there is a perfectly serviceable version with Karsten Andersen and the Bergen PO (Aurora, from a Phillips original). Unfortunately the recording is a bit 'boxed in' - but I like the work very much. His String Quartet (Naxos) is also good.

I think I have the Egge SQ on Naxos. A nice cd.

[vandermolen]

I think I have the Egge SQ on Naxos. A nice cd.

Yes, even my wife, who does not share my musical taste at all, likes that work!

[Daverz]

Ignoring the "Nordic" part, those looking for post-Sibelian music should try Douglas Lilburn's symphonies on Naxos.

[pencils]

Ignoring the "Nordic" part, those looking for post-Sibelian music should try Douglas Lilburn's symphonies on Naxos.

Agreed. Superb release.

[Lisztianwagner]

Holmboe, Pettersson, Aho, Tveitt and Rautavaara for me.

[vandermolen]

Eivind Groven from Norway is an interesting figure. His music is mostly based on  folk music, but has a wonderful "gravitas" that I find quite enchanting. Try both symphonies and the pianoconcerto.

The wikipedia article is very informative.

P.

I greatly enjoyed Groven's Symphony No 1 'Towards the Mountains'. I have only played it once but immediately wanted to hear it again. It is indeed folk inspired but these influences seem to be integrated into a powerful score. So, thanks for the recommendation. Another fine mountain inspired work is 'In the Tatras' by Novak. I enjoyed the Groven symphony much more than Richard Strauss's 'Alpine Symphony', which I heard on the radio yesterday and found to be completely tedious.

[pencils]

Holmboe, Pettersson, Aho, Tveitt and Rautavaara for me.

Yup. That sounds pretty fine to me. I need to dig out my Naxos Geirr Tveitt CDs.

[kyjo]

Tveitt is a fascinating composer and one of my favorite "unsungs". There's never a dull moment in his colorful, highly charged music. I would not hesitate to call his 100 Hardanger Tunes, PC 5 and Baldur's Dreams masterpieces. His music has echoes of Ravel and Bartok but he is very much his own man. It's a real shame so much of his music was lost in that tragic house fire. But let's look on the bright side-much of it has been recorded (many pieces even exist in multiple (and excellent) recordings)! Even so, we're still awaiting a recording of his Symphony no. 1 Christmas.

[Johnll]

I greatly enjoyed Groven's Symphony No 1 'Towards the Mountains'. I have only played it once but immediately wanted to hear it again. It is indeed folk inspired but these influences seem to be integrated into a powerful score. So, thanks for the recommendation. Another fine mountain inspired work is 'In the Tatras' by Novak. I enjoyed the Groven symphony much more than Richard Strauss's 'Alpine Symphony', which I heard on the radio yesterday and found to be completely tedious.

I very fine piece indeed. I endorse this message

[vandermolen]

And I would add my recommendation for the Naxos Lilburn symphonies release and also for the other Naxos CD of Lilburn's music including ' A Song of the Islands' and the excellent 'Aotearoa Overture'. There is a strong influence of Sibelius but Lilburn is also his own man.
[asin]B000H1QUQK[/asin]

[Daverz]

My favorite Tveitt CD, and some of the most "Sibelian" music I've heard: