Gösta Nystroem (1890-1966), an unjustly forgotten Swede

[vandermolen]

It's a brilliant score, Jeffrey. Almost 13 minutes of sheer thrill.

Thanks Cesar. Must fish the CD out.

[vandermolen]

Over the past couple of days I've been comparing different recordings (on CD) of Sinfonia del Mare.
I've enjoyed them all and the other works on the discs. Best of all IMO is the oldest recording (1971) with Stig Westerberg and the Stockholm RSO and Elisabeth Soerstrom as the soloist. This performance has an element of inevitability about it. Also, I really enjoyed the other work on the CD - the Sinfonia Concertante for Cello and Orchestra, which I have seen poorly reviewed elsewhere. The Svetlanov recording (1997 live) with the Swedish RSO adds about 4 minutes to the work compared with the Westerberg and Konig recordings. Unsurprisingly perhaps, Svetlanov's is the 'darkest' performance of the three. I really enjoyed the turbulent/epic Prelude to the Tempest (1934) as recommended by Cesar (SA) above and the eloquent 'Songs by the Sea' - another great disc, as is the most recent recording (2007) with the Malmo SO conducted by Christoph Konig. This is about the same timing as the Westerberg and beautifully recorded, although I wasn't quite so keen on the 'Sinfonia Breve' as I was with the additional works on the other recordings. I don't think that anyone would feel disappointed by any of these performances:

[Irons]

Over the past couple of days I've been comparing different recordings (on CD) of Sinfonia del Mare.
I've enjoyed them all and the other works on the discs. Best of all IMO is the oldest recording (1971) with Stig Westerberg and the Stockholm RSO and Elisabeth Soerstrom as the soloist. This performance has an element of inevitability about it. Also, I really enjoyed the other work on the CD - the Sinfonia Concertante for Cello and Orchestra, which I have seen poorly reviewed elsewhere. The Svetlanov recording (1997 live) with the Swedish RSO adds about 4 minutes to the work compared with the Westerberg and Konig recordings. Unsurprisingly perhaps, Svetlanov's is the 'darkest' performance of the three. I really enjoyed the turbulent/epic Prelude to the Tempest (1934) as recommended by Cesar (SA) above and the eloquent 'Songs by the Sea' - another great disc, as is the most recent recording (2007) with the Malmo SO conducted by Christoph Konig. This is about the same timing as the Westerberg and beautifully recorded, although I wasn't quite so keen on the 'Sinfonia Breve' as I was with the additional works on the other recordings. I don't think that anyone would feel disappointed by any of these performances:

The title of the thread gives me some solace, Jeffrey. I was beginning to wonder if I was the only one on the planet that has not heard of Nystroem and lets face it not a name to forget. Good to read your summery of available options that Westerberg is competitive.
I would like to mention the sonics of this particular recording which are stunning on LP. As far as vinyl goes this is my record of the year by a country mile.

[vandermolen]

The title of the thread gives me some solace, Jeffrey. I was beginning to wonder if I was the only one on the planet that has not heard of Nystroem and lets face it not a name to forget. Good to read your summery of available options that Westerberg is competitive.
I would like to mention the sonics of this particular recording which are stunning on LP. As far as vinyl goes this is my record of the year by a country mile.

Interesting Lol. The CD is also available with the original LP sleeve image - hmmm 

[Irons]

Interesting Lol. The CD is also available with the original LP sleeve image - hmmm 

That cover image Jeffrey was created by the Swedish cinematographer Ralph M. Evers 1938-2019.

Incidentally, the vinyl Sinfonia del Mare is a Teldec pressing which goes somewhat to explain the good sound.

[André]

I'm copying this from the Wikipedia entry as I think it's useful to 'place' a work in the composer's career and development. Especially so if one considers that most of his symphonies are known through a title instead of a number, making it difficult to figure if they belong to early, middle or late in his career. Also, the war years, the influence from the Darmstadt period and other musical currents etc. can help figure the historic/musical circumstances a composer is working under.

Chronological worklist[edit]
1917 revised 1924 Rondo Capriccioso for violin & orchestra
1924 Regrets, 6 pieces for solo piano
1924–25 Arctic Ocean (Ishavet or La mer arctique), symphonic poem after an unfinished ballet
1925 Tower of Babel, symphonic poem
1929–30 Concerto for Strings No. 1
1929–31 Sinfonia Breve (Symphony No. 1)
1932–35 revised 1937 Sinfonia Espressiva (Symphony No. 2)
1934 The Tempest, incidental music to Shakespeare
1936 Merchant of Venice (Theatre Suite No. 4)
1940 Viola Concerto "Hommage à la France"
1940–44 revised 1951-2 Sinfonia Concertante for cello & orchestra
1942 Songs by the Sea, five songs for voice with orchestra or piano
1945 Ouverture Symphonique
1946–48 Sinfonia del Mare (Symphony No. 3) after Ebba Lindqvist, for soprano & orchestra
1948 At the Reef, for voice & piano
1950 Soul & Landscape, three Ebba Lindqvist poems for soprano & piano
1952 Sinfonia Shakespeariana (Symphony No. 4)
1952 Ungersvennen och de sex Prinsessorna, ballet
1953 Partita for flute, string orchestra & harp
1954–57 Violin Concerto
1955 Concerto for Strings No. 2
1956 String Quartet
1956 Tre havsvisioner, a three part series for eight-part mixed chorus
1958 Herr Arnes Penningar, opera based on a novel by Selma Lagerlöf
1959 Piano Concerto "Concerto Ricercante"
195? Midsummer Dream, after Martinson, for soprano & piano
1962–63 Sinfonia Seria (Symphony No. 5)
1963 Sinfonia di Lontano
1965 Sinfonia Tramontana (Symphony No. 6)
19?? Sommarmusik for soprano & orchestra

[vandermolen]

That cover image Jeffrey was created by the Swedish cinematographer Ralph M. Evers 1938-2019.

Incidentally, the vinyl Sinfonia del Mare is a Teldec pressing which goes somewhat to explain the good sound.

Interesting - thanks Lol.

[vandermolen]

I'm copying this from the Wikipedia entry as I think it's useful to 'place' a work in the composer's career and development. Especially so if one considers that most of his symphonies are known through a title instead of a number, making it difficult to figure if they belong to early, middle or late in his career. Also, the war years, the influence from the Darmstadt period and other musical currents etc. can help figure the historic/musical circumstances a composer is working under.

Thanks for doing that André. I'd like to explore some of the other symphonies, some of which I have on CD. That immediate post-war period (1945-55) is one which features a lot of music which I like (VW Symphony No.6, Shostakovich Symphony No.10, Sinfonia del Mare etc)

[Irons]

Thanks for doing that André. I'd like to explore some of the other symphonies, some of which I have on CD. That immediate post-war period (1945-55) is one which features a lot of music which I like (VW Symphony No.6, Shostakovich Symphony No.10, Sinfonia del Mare etc)

+1

Looking through the list Shakespeare and the sea appear to be a recurring theme.

[Symphonic Addict]

Some interesting conversation here. Irons, another Swede with an alluring style is Hilding Rosenberg. Do you know some of his works? If not, I could encourage you to try the symphonies 1-5 (esp. 2 and 3), Orpheus in Town and the piano concertos.

But coming back Nystroem, yes, an utterly sensational composer, whose inspiring muse was the sea. One feels that freshness, magic and turbulent nature printed in many of his output.

There is a recording of the String Quartet worth which I find just absorbing in its rigurosity and severe mood.

[vandermolen]

Some interesting conversation here. Irons, another Swede with an alluring style is Hilding Rosenberg. Do you know some of his works? If not, I could encourage you to try the symphonies 1-5 (esp. 2 and 3), Orpheus in Town and the piano concertos.

But coming back Nystroem, yes, an utterly sensational composer, whose inspiring muse was the sea. One feels that freshness, magic and turbulent nature printed in many of his output.

There is a recording of the String Quartet worth which I find just absorbing in its rigurosity and severe mood.

OT
+1 for Rosenberg - one of my favourite composers. Here are some nice LPs for Lol (Irons) although there was an annoying pressing fault on the LP (not CD) of Symphony No.3 which resulted in a 'click' throughout the moving last movement:
[/img][/img]

[Symphonic Addict]

OT
+1 for Rosenberg - one of my favourite composers. Here are some nice LPs for Lol (Irons) although there was an annoying pressing fault on the LP (not CD) of Symphony No.3 which resulted in a 'click' throughout the moving last movement:
[/img][/img]

Good, Jeffrey! Thanks for sharing.

[Irons]

OT
+1 for Rosenberg - one of my favourite composers. Here are some nice LPs for Lol (Irons) although there was an annoying pressing fault on the LP (not CD) of Symphony No.3 which resulted in a 'click' throughout the moving last movement:
[/img][/img]

By definition a collector of vinyl is a masochist but like a punch-drunk boxer you have to say enough is enough. Three copies of the Turnabout Rosenberg have passed through my hands and each have unfortunately been poor pressings. I think perhaps CD would be a less troublesome route to investigate.
I love the music of Ture Rangstrom, with symphonies 1 & 3 being big favourites. A theme is developing here as of course the 3rd is another sea symphony.
It would be most interesting indeed to hear the Nystroem string quartet. No hiding places for a composer of string quartets.

Edit: Swedish Society LPs are excellent. I will have a look for the Rosenberg issue. Thanks Jeffrey. 

[vandermolen]

By definition a collector of vinyl is a masochist but like a punch-drunk boxer you have to say enough is enough. Three copies of the Turnabout Rosenberg have passed through my hands and each have unfortunately been poor pressings. I think perhaps CD would be a less troublesome route to investigate.
I love the music of Ture Rangstrom, with symphonies 1 & 3 being big favourites. A theme is developing here as of course the 3rd is another sea symphony.
It would be most interesting indeed to hear the Nystroem string quartet. No hiding places for a composer of string quartets.

Edit: Swedish Society LPs are excellent. I will have a look for the Rosenberg issue. Thanks Jeffrey.

It's quite rare I suspect Lol but like No.3 it has a most inspiriting and moving conclusion. I wouldn't recommend the LP of Symphony No.3 because of the annoying 'click' throughout the last movement (on every copy!) The fault was corrected for the CD release.

[Irons]

It's quite rare I suspect Lol but like No.3 it has a most inspiriting and moving conclusion. I wouldn't recommend the LP of Symphony No.3 because of the annoying 'click' throughout the last movement (on every copy!) The fault was corrected for the CD release.

Rare as you say, Jeffrey. I am pretty sure the Rosenberg 3rd is a Swedish EMI release as is Rangstrom.

Have you or Cesar come across Natanael Berg? I have just the one piece "Traumgewalten" only eleven minutes but packs a punch!
https://youtu.be/K2MuRT2gxpk

[vandermolen]

Rare as you say, Jeffrey. I am pretty sure the Rosenberg 3rd is a Swedish EMI release as is Rangstrom.

Have you or Cesar come across Natanael Berg? I have just the one piece "Traumgewalten" only eleven minutes but packs a punch!
https://youtu.be/K2MuRT2gxpk

Yes Lol, the Rosenberg Symphony 3 LP is Swedish EMI. Gruner Hegge's unrivalled LP performance of Klaus Egge's powerful and moving 1st Symphony, which has never been released on CD, is Norwegian EMI. I have this CD of Natanael Berg which made a powerful impression on me:

[Irons]

Yes Lol, the Rosenberg Symphony 3 LP is Swedish EMI. Gruner Hegge's unrivalled LP performance of Klaus Egge's powerful and moving 1st Symphony, which has never been released on CD, is Norwegian EMI. I have this CD of Natanael Berg which made a powerful impression on me:

Yes Jeffrey, I did come across the Natanael Berg CPO issue on a search of the composer yesterday. Egge sounds another of interest and again - they are racking up - a composer I have not heard of.
On the vinyl front my fav vinyl emporium has a Nordic section which I will make a beeline for when safe to go. (London not looking good at present).

[vandermolen]

Yes Jeffrey, I did come across the Natanael Berg CPO issue on a search of the composer yesterday. Egge sounds another of interest and again - they are racking up - a composer I have not heard of.
On the vinyl front my fav vinyl emporium has a Nordic section which I will make a beeline for when safe to go. (London not looking good at present).

Hope you find something of interest Lol. The great (IMO) Klaus Egge Symphony No.1 is also available on a Philips LP with the Bergen SO conducted by Karsten Andersen. It's a perfectly good performance but without the urgency of the Gruner Hegge recording. Also, the recording is a bit 'boxed in' and actually overloads at the great climax of the opening movement. It is still worth having. Discogs have it for about £6.00. It is dedicated to the Norwegian Merchant Fleet of World War Two and is a little in the spirit of Walton's First Symphony, with echoes of the sea:

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Yes Jeffrey, I did come across the Natanael Berg CPO issue on a search of the composer yesterday. Egge sounds another of interest and again - they are racking up - a composer I have not heard of.
On the vinyl front my fav vinyl emporium has a Nordic section which I will make a beeline for when safe to go. (London not looking good at present).

I'm jealous!!      Good for you (and others) though. 

PD

[Irons]

Hope you find something of interest Lol. The great (IMO) Klaus Egge Symphony No.1 is also available on a Philips LP with the Bergen SO conducted by Karsten Andersen. It's a perfectly good performance but without the urgency of the Gruner Hegge recording. Also, the recording is a bit 'boxed in' and actually overloads at the great climax of the opening movement. It is still worth having. Discogs have it for about £6.00. It is dedicated to the Norwegian Merchant Fleet of World War Two and is a little in the spirit of Walton's First Symphony, with echoes of the sea:

Have you heard the Egge cello concerto, Jeffrey?

PD, sections devoted to American, Russian, East European, British and Nordic with the rest sorted by composer or alphabetically. Not quite as good as it sounds as plenty of little interest or own already.