Kurt Atterberg (1887-1974)

[Albion]

Continued with my symphony run today with Nos. 3-5.

Brilliant, keep going! There's nothing worth watching on television anyway. I'm currently stuck on Schreker, Bax and Glazunov - quite randomly...

 

[Florestan]

Many people who go to concerts fit that description. "Oh, I love Beethoven's Sixth, let's go!"

Incredible as it may seem, lots of people love Beethoven's music.

And there are many repertoire staples where I fit that description, too. The experience of seeing a work live is so much different from hearing it on recording that it is very frequently worth reacquainting yourself with a warhorse.

Good point.

But many people at concerts here are those who don't necessarily listen to classical music day in, day out, or have a wide diet of music, and see going to the symphony as an elevated occasion. A social occasion or like a trip to the art gallery. This of course is the original mode of concertgoing from when public classical subscription concerts and operas began in the 1700s. For these people, a name like Beethoven's is a stamp of quality.

This, too.

The irony is that this type of concertgoer, not particularly attached to any composer, is probably more likely to go to an Atterberg concert than a Beethoven devotee whose musical horizon doesn't extend too far beyond 1827.

[Florestan]

how much more do we really need either live or in recordings at the expense of an alternative symphony, concerto, overture, string quartet or piano sonata?

The live concerts are indeed problematic* but when it comes to recordings, there is no dearth of non-Beethoven (and generally non-canonical) symphonies, concertos, overtures, string quartets and piano sonatas. Actually, there are some recording companies that have done a splendid job in this respect.

*although given the financial aspect, maybe not so problematic after all. Orchestras worldwide, with few exceptions, are already struggling to survive financially; cutting one of their main source of revenues by putting a moratorium on Beethoven, Mozart and Brahms is not even an option. And anyway, I don't quite understand why promoting non-canonical quality should involve prohibiting canonical quality.

[J]

So given the opportunity to program an Atterberg Symphony with some major European or American Orchestra which one might grab an audience most readily?

I'd have to say either No.3 or No.6.

[Maestro267]

No. 6 has the whole Columbia competition story behind it so it's got marketing value there.

Concluding my cycle now with only my second listen to No. 9. It's not my favourite. I find it harder to follow than the other symphonies, largely because it's in one giant span, and the text is in a language I don't understand as well as other foreign languages I've heard in classical music more often.

[Brian]

So given the opportunity to program an Atterberg Symphony with some major European or American Orchestra which one might grab an audience most readily?

I'd have to say either No.3 or No.6.

This might be sacrilege but I have thought/mused about programming the finale of 3 by itself. On a "Summer Night" type program. Something like this:

Kodaly - Summer Night
Berlioz - Les nuits d'ete
(intermission)
Mendelssohn - A Midsummer Night's Dream overture
Atterberg - Summer Night from Symphony No. 3

Also, just found this interesting MusicWeb review of CPO's 3 and 6 coupling, by an author who had gotten the chance to meet and discuss the music with Atterberg himself, which offers additional insight:
http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2001/jan01/atterberg.htm

EDIT: Just finished reading that linked MW piece...wow, I had never, ever caught that big Schubert quote before! Time to listen to the symphony again!

[vandermolen]

No. 6 has the whole Columbia competition story behind it so it's got marketing value there.

Concluding my cycle now with only my second listen to No. 9. It's not my favourite. I find it harder to follow than the other symphonies, largely because it's in one giant span, and the text is in a language I don't understand as well as other foreign languages I've heard in classical music more often.

I hardly ever listen to No.9.

[J]

This might be sacrilege but I have thought/mused about programming the finale of 3 by itself. On a "Summer Night" type program. Something like this:

Kodaly - Summer Night
Berlioz - Les nuits d'ete
(intermission)
Mendelssohn - A Midsummer Night's Dream overture
Atterberg - Summer Night from Symphony No. 3

Also, just found this interesting MusicWeb review of CPO's 3 and 6 coupling, by an author who had gotten the chance to meet and discuss the music with Atterberg himself, which offers additional insight:
http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2001/jan01/atterberg.htm

EDIT: Just finished reading that linked MW piece...wow, I had never, ever caught that big Schubert quote before! Time to listen to the symphony again!

I hardly ever listen to No.9.

Nor I, - but would still very much like to hear Atterberg's Requiem.  Has it likely been looked over by CPO and/or Chandos and deemed unworthy of a recording?

[Maestro267]

I was first made aware of that whole Schubert competition by Franz Schmidt's 3rd Symphony, another entrant (and regional winner I think?) in said competition. Interestingly, the runner-up of the England region was...the orchestral Part One of Havergal Brian's Symphony No. 1.

[Symphonic Addict]

CPO did it again! I thought the releases featuring Atterbeg were over, but fortunately I was wrong. Looking forward to this new release! Supposedly it'll be issued the next month.

[Lisztianwagner]

CPO did it again! I thought the releases featuring Atterbeg were over, but fortunately I was wrong. Looking forward to this new release! Supposedly it'll be issued the next month.

Great to see you're back, Cesar!
I haven't listened to this particular opera by Atterberg, I'll check it out.

[Brian]

Wow, that looks cool!

[relm1]

Oh you just know that's going to be good.  Instabuy.

[Symphonic Addict]

Great to see you're back, Cesar!
I haven't listened to this particular opera by Atterberg, I'll check it out.

Thanks, Ilaria! Yes, this is definitely a must-listen for me as well.

[kyjo]

CPO did it again! I thought the releases featuring Atterbeg were over, but fortunately I was wrong. Looking forward to this new release! Supposedly it'll be issued the next month.

Wonderful news! I was beginning to wonder how long it would be before we'd hear any of his operas. Considering what a great melodic gift Atterberg had, I would suppose his vocal writing would be quite beautiful!

[relm1]

Wonderful news! I was beginning to wonder how long it would be before we'd hear any of his operas. Considering what a great melodic gift Atterberg had, I would suppose his vocal writing would be quite beautiful!

I heard one of the operas on youtube, can't remember which one it was but it didn't disappoint.  It was exactly what you'd want from this composer.  Lyrical, evocative, imaginative, and finely crafted. 

[Symphonic Addict]

Was reading on Wikipedia that Atterberg composed a Requiem for soloists, chorus and orchestra, op. 8 (1914), among other enticing compositions: choral works (Järnbäraland, op. 16; Das Lied, op. 25; Sångens land, op. 32); incidental music (Der Sturm, op. 18; Turandot; Antonius und Kleopatra); ballets (Per Svinaherde, op. 9; De fåvitska jungfrurna, op. 17). There must be some stunning music on all or most of those works, so CPO, Capriccio, Chandos, BIS, Hänssler: go to the rescue!

[Scion7]

Was reading on Wikipedia ...

Yes, from the first half of his career, mostly:


Requiem, op.8, solo vv, chorus, orch, 1914;
Järnbäraland, op.16, solo vv, chorus, orch, 1919;
Sången, op.25, solo vv, chorus ad lib, orch, 1925;
Sångens land, op.32, solo vv, chorus ad lib, orch, 1928

[Scion7]

Järnbäraland, op.16, solo vv, chorus, orch, 1919:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2Lmeykbf4g

[J]

A mesmerizing YouTube performance of probably Atterberg's most gorgeous creation:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9_jouKfyb8