Nørgård's Niche

[relm1]

I am very much enjoying traversing Norgard's symphony cycle from Thomas Dausgaard/Danish National Symphony.  I'm half way through but think their presentation order is fantastic. 

Symphony No. 3 which is his most expansive with chorus, large orchestra and organ.  Then Symphony No. 7, which is terse but clearly from the same composer.  Next is No. 1 which I used to think was Sibelian but now I think it has more in common with Holmboe.  I love it because of its clarity of idea and succinctly tense atmosphere.  It's subtitle of "Sinfonia Austera" is appropriate.    Next is No. 8 which I haven't heard before.  I also hear some mid period Rautavaara in what I've heard so far. I highly recommend those not familiar with this wonderful composer to investigate his output.  A very fine composer of accessibility, depth, and complexity. 

[relm1]

Last night, I got to Norgard's No. 8.  That was quite weak and meandering.  Paired with No. 1 which is a favorite.  Seemed like No. 8 had nothing to say and felt twice its length. 

[Scion7]

He's a composer on the 'death watch' list - still going and born in '32.   

[Maestro267]

Yes. I think this every time I see there's new posts in this thread.

[vandermolen]

Last night, I got to Norgard's No. 8.  That was quite weak and meandering.  Paired with No. 1 which is a favorite.  Seemed like No. 8 had nothing to say and felt twice its length.

Symphony No.1 'Austera' is my favourite, although I prefer the recording on Chandos.

[Symphonic Addict]

Symphony No.1 'Austera' is my favourite, although I prefer the recording on Chandos.

Because it is an English record label, isn't it? 

[relm1]

Symphony No.1 'Austera' is my favourite, although I prefer the recording on Chandos.

I agree with you (again).  It's always nice to hear other interpretations though because it freshes up a work.  No. 8 was real downer for me but the next disc was No. 6 and 2 and I very much enjoyed it.  But like Vandermolen mentioned, I prefer the chandos recording of No. 2 (on the same disc of No. 1).  Just more dynamic overall.  But good music.  Tomorrow is No. 5 and 4, the final disc in this collection.  Was the chandos a complete cycle?

[Madiel]

The Chandos couldn't cover everything because it wasn't all composed at that point. It has the first 6 symphonies, plus a piano concerto and an orchestral work.

[CRCulver]

The Chandos couldn't cover everything because it wasn't all composed at that point.

Plus, Chandos' ownership changed around 2004 and they stopped recording much late 20th-century music and beyond, so composers like Nørgård, Schnittke, and Gubaidulina no longer appeared on the label, and symphony cycles were left incomplete. That's rather a pity, since I like the sound engineering of Chandos' Nørgård recordings more than Dacapo's.

[Madiel]

Plus, Chandos' ownership changed around 2004 and they stopped recording much late 20th-century music and beyond, so composers like Nørgård, Schnittke, and Gubaidulina no longer appeared on the label, and symphony cycles were left incomplete. That's rather a pity, since I like the sound engineering of Chandos' Nørgård recordings more than Dacapo's.

Really?

The only Chandos I tried was the one with Symphony 4, and it didn't do anything much for me in comparison to Dacapo. For me, this is a composer that absolutely benefits from the kind of clear sound that Dacapo delivers. But each to their own. I might try streaming more Chandos at some point.

[Alex Bozman]

I like the first four symphonies, with the 3rd being a personal favourite. However the later symphonies, I find it very hard to get a handle on.

[relm1]

I completed my traversal of Norgard's symphonies with No. 5 and 4.  I very much enjoyed No. 5.  This would have been a fantastic No. 8 if it were his last one because it really encapsulates his cycle and reminds me of all that's come before even ending with a echoes of first symphony.  I love symphonies where they end either wrapping up their cycle or using it as a springboard to the undiscovered territory of the future.  No. 5 was very interesting and might be my second favorite of his.

No. 4 minor complaint but I think No. 4 should have been first on this album because No. 5 is better conclusion and is also sequentially later so works well in someone like me wanting to traverse a cycle in its entirety.  Aside from that, the "Chinese Witches Lake" (second movement was intense).  This is a solid album of contemporary symphonic music.  This is my second favorite album – very strong, color, and impactful contemporary music.

In conclusion, I very much enjoyed this traversal.  All the symphonies were interesting and showed a very complex yet accessible composer except for No. 8 which eludes me.  I might give it another go tomorrow.  If I hear everything from a composer and admire all the works except one of them, makes me think I missed something so need to try again.  With that said, I'm a sophisticated listener very used to contemporary music so don't mind it being challenging but don't like it being boring.  Sort of like with Atterberg where I greatly enjoy all the symphonies, but No. 9 doesn't really connect with me.  I don't hate it, I just don't need to ever hear it again.  But what about Shostakovich No. 2 and 3?  I don't think they're bad, they just don't live up to the title of "Shostakovich Symphony".  By any other composer, they probably would be highly regarded.  I think Norgard is an interesting composer and major symphonist whose life occupies the bulk of the 20th century.  His symphonies are generally well structured (with the exception of No. 8 which I'll put in a category of my needing to revisit).  They are inventive, challenging, but accessible.  I think they are better than Sir Peter Maxwell Davies but similar to Henze's cycle.  Maybe that should be my next cyclic traversal.