Scandinavian and Finnish composers.

[Mirror Image]

I never warmed to Madetoja's music. I don't really hear much of an individual voice in the music to be even more honest.

[relm1]

I never warmed to Madetoja's music. I don't really hear much of an individual voice in the music to be even more honest.

Did you hear the recording I mentioned?  A Germanic version of Finnish music is an individual voice.  Who else had the sound?  The last movement of the second symphony has elements of Bruckner by way of Sibelius and reached a tremendous flat 6 climax...something that could have come out of modern sci-fi scores.  The melodies might not be as personalized as Sibelius but it's not at all worthy of disregard.  Give it another chance and stop being so quick to accept your first impression.

[SymphonicAddict]

I am really enjoying this CD of Madetoja:

https://www.amazon.com/Madetoja-Symphony-No-Kullervo-Elegy/dp/B00CVO19N0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1489280420&sr=8-2&keywords=madetoja+symphony+2

Somewhere between Sibelius and Wagner in a very fine recording.  This Kullervo is nothing like Sibelius's take on the myth.  Much more like how Richard Strauss or Wagner might have imagined it as an epic hero rather than a flawed demigod.

The 2nd symphony is just amazing. I listened to it a few days ago and was mesmerizing. Too much beauty I found there

[Mirror Image]

Did you hear the recording I mentioned?  A Germanic version of Finnish music is an individual voice.  Who else had the sound?  The last movement of the second symphony has elements of Bruckner by way of Sibelius and reached a tremendous flat 6 climax...something that could have come out of modern sci-fi scores.  The melodies might not be as personalized as Sibelius but it's not at all worthy of disregard.  Give it another chance and stop being so quick to accept your first impression.

Umm...excuse me for a second. I've been listening to Madetoja off and on for the past five years. I've heard all of his symphonies and many of his other orchestral works. I've also heard that Storgards recording you posted about. I was just sharing an opinion and what I thought of the composer. Don't take what I say as gospel. If you like the music, then that's great, but I don't share your sentiments and I certainly don't hear anything distinctive in the music, but there aren't a lot of Finns that carry as much weight obviously as Sibelius. Oh and Madetoja is more influenced by French music than Germanic or at least that's what I understood about his own influences and his approach to orchestration when I was reading about him.

[arpeggio]

I am really enjoying this CD of Madetoja:

https://www.amazon.com/Madetoja-Symphony-No-Kullervo-Elegy/dp/B00CVO19N0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1489280420&sr=8-2&keywords=madetoja+symphony+2

Somewhere between Sibelius and Wagner in a very fine recording.  This Kullervo is nothing like Sibelius's take on the myth.  Much more like how Richard Strauss or Wagner might have imagined it as an epic hero rather than a flawed demigod.

I just checked this out on you tube.  Of course it ain't Beethoven but I still enjoyed it.  New music for my wish list.  Thanks

Addendum:  Great review of this recording at ArkiveMusic: http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/album.jsp?album_id=825038

Found another review: http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2013/May13/Madetoja_Kullervo_ODE12122.htm

[vandermolen]

I like all the symphonies. 3 is considered the finest but the moving No.2 is my favourite - in memory of his brother who died in the Finnish Civil War I think. I increasing like Symphony 1 as well. No.4 was stolen in a railway station. 

[cilgwyn]

The 2nd symphony is just amazing. I listened to it a few days ago and was mesmerizing. Too much beauty I found there

I'm enjoying the artwork! I've never heard a note of his music;but that's the sort of jewel case that tempts me. Got to resist,though. Perhaps the Beeb will broadcast one?!!

[SymphonicAddict]

I'm enjoying the artwork! I've never heard a note of his music;but that's the sort of jewel case that tempts me. Got to resist,though. Perhaps the Beeb will broadcast one?!!

If you get to hear it, I hope you enjoy it a lot! 

[Mirror Image]

I'm enjoying the artwork! I've never heard a note of his music;but that's the sort of jewel case that tempts me. Got to resist,though. Perhaps the Beeb will broadcast one?!!

Madetoja's music is plastered all over YouTube. Why don't you do some sampling and find out whether you like his music or not?

[vandermolen]

Yesterday I came across a composer whose music I had never heard. Selim Palmgren (born 1878 Pori, Finland, died Helsinki 1951). He also taught at the famous Eastman School in the USA in the 1920s. I sampled the opening of his
Piano Concerto No.2 'The River' and thought it was excellent - haunting and beautiful. Any other views on Palmgren?
[asin]B01DELEJ4E[/asin]
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Selim-Palmgren

Here's the opening of PC No.2 'The River':

https://youtu.be/oOq6vTWYbDU

[vandermolen]

Yesterday I came across a composer whose music I had never heard. Selim Palmgren (born 1878 Pori, Finland, died Helsinki 1951). He also taught at the famous Eastman School in the USA in the 1920s. I sampled the opening of his
Piano Concerto No.2 'The River' and thought it was excellent - haunting and beautiful. Any other views on Palmgren?
[asin]B01DELEJ4E[/asin]
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Selim-Palmgren

Here's the opening of PC No.2 'The River':

https://youtu.be/oOq6vTWYbDU

Just bumping up my last 'zero response' thread ( )
This is because I have also been enjoying Palmgren's Piano Concerto No.1 (1905). Like Piano Concerto No.2 it has a most beautiful nostalgic, dreamy and lyrical opening. It is very approachable and I think would appeal to admirers of Rachmaninov.

[kyjo]

Just bumping up my last 'zero response' thread ( )
This is because I have also been enjoying Palmgren's Piano Concerto No.1 (1905). Like Piano Concerto No.2 it has a most beautiful nostalgic, dreamy and lyrical opening. It is very approachable and I think would appeal to admirers of Rachmaninov.

Thanks for the recommendation, Jeffrey. I love Rachmaninov's PCs so it seems like Palmgren's would be right up my alley

[Christo]

The 2nd symphony is just amazing. I listened to it a few days ago and was mesmerizing. Too much beauty I found there

Seconded. Plus: it has a wonderful 'pastoral' quiet movement that is really pastoral: reminiscences from a solitary boyhood spent in the countryside. 

[vandermolen]

Thanks Kyle and Johan - much appreciated. I think that this music has potential for wide appeal.

[relm1]

Seconded. Plus: it has a wonderful 'pastoral' quiet movement that is really pastoral: reminiscences from a solitary boyhood spent in the countryside. 

Do you want to give us a hint to what composer this is in reference to? 

[André]

Yesterday I came across a composer whose music I had never heard. Selim Palmgren (born 1878 Pori, Finland, died Helsinki 1951). He also taught at the famous Eastman School in the USA in the 1920s. I sampled the opening of his
Piano Concerto No.2 'The River' and thought it was excellent - haunting and beautiful. Any other views on Palmgren?
[asin]B01DELEJ4E[/asin]
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Selim-Palmgren

Here's the opening of PC No.2 'The River':

https://youtu.be/oOq6vTWYbDU

Another good thread I wasn't aware of! Will wonders ever cease?

I have the piano concertos of Palmgren in this 2cd set: everything in it is pure delight!

[Mirror Image]

What is Palmgren's style like?

[vandermolen]

What is Palmgren's style like?

Here is a review John of the disc I have. Very melodic and approachable, maybe not that 'deep' but the CD, especially the openings of 'The River' Piano Concerto and No. 2 have given me much pleasure.

http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2016/Aug/Palmgren_PCs_ABCD385.htm

Here is the opening of The River PC:

https://youtu.be/oOq6vTWYbDU

[Biffo]

Tveitt and Langgaard are favourites of mine. Langgaard has had a few mentions already but I scecond the recommendations of his Music of the Spheres and would like to add his string quartets - they have all been recorded by the Nightingale Quartet and well worth exploring.

Tveiit (1908 - 1981) has only had a passing mention but is well worth exploring. Sadly, a large number of his works were destroyed in a fire though some have been reconstructed from orchestral parts and the charred remains. Tveitt spent some time in Paris and this shows in his Piano Concertos though No 4 'Aurora Borealis' - my favourite was written after his return to Norway. His large scale ballet 'Baldur's Dreams' is also interesting though some may prefer the 'Sun God Symphony extracted from it.

After returning to Norway Tveitt adopted a more national, Norwegian style. A Hundred Hardanger Tunes has already been mentioned; it is divided into suites and they range from wedding tunes to 'Domedag', a depiction of Judgement Day.

[North Star]

Tveitt and Langgaard are favourites of mine. Langgaard has had a few mentions already but I scecond the recommendations of his Music of the Spheres and would like to add his string quartets - they have all been recorded by the Nightingale Quartet and well worth exploring.

Tveiit (1908 - 1981) has only had a passing mention but is well worth exploring. Sadly, a large number of his works were destroyed in a fire though some have been reconstructed from orchestral parts and the charred remains. Tveitt spent some time in Paris and this shows in his Piano Concertos though No 4 'Aurora Borealis' - my favourite was written after his return to Norway. His large scale ballet 'Baldur's Dreams' is also interesting though some may prefer the 'Sun God Symphony extracted from it.

After returning to Norway Tveitt adopted a more national, Norwegian style. A Hundred Hardanger Tunes has already been mentioned; it is divided into suites and they range from wedding tunes to 'Domedag', a depiction of Judgement Day.

Tveitt and Langgaard have their own threads if you want to have a look.