Behold, the Sea.

[kyjo]

I don't think anybody's yet mentioned Koechlin's beautifully contemplative Paysages et Marines. I have a feeling Keith Jarrett amongst others might feel a certain kinship. Anyway I'd recommend it wholeheartedly.

A beautiful work indeed. I only know the chamber version which is wonderfully evocative.

[Iota]

I'll have to revisit this. Last year, as I went through the solo piano music in the Haenssler box with chamber music, I'm sure I didn't give enough attention to the music aside from Les Heures Persanes.

I hope you enjoy it if you do. It's of a very different emotional hue to Les Heures Persanes imo, which seems to move in twilight, compared to the dappled light and reverie of Marines et Paysages.

... I only know the chamber version which is wonderfully evocative.

Indeed, equally exquisite!

[SymphonicAddict]

Some works that haven't been mentioned yet: Borresen's Symphony No. 2 The Sea, Klami's Sea Pictures and Chausson's Poème de l'amour et de la mer.

[SymphonicAddict]

Saved by the search tool! I did think of starting a thread on one of my favourite musical subjects, the Sea only to find as I always do that it has already been done.

A few favourites in no particular order of mine. Which others are liked by forum members?

Frank Bridge: The Sea.

Britten: Four Sea Interludes.

Ibert: Symphonie Marine.

Rangstrom: 3rd Symphony.

Elgar: Sea Pictures.

Mendelssohn: The Hebrides.

Bax: The Garden of Fand.

Bax: Tintagel. (Tintagel is a place but is sea music).

I like this list. The Garden of Fand is magnificent and underrated IMO. Rangström's 3rd Symphony Sang under Stjarnorna (Song under stars) is also an interesting choice. I feel it like Atterberg on steroids (not in a demeaning way of course).

[André]

I like Gösta Nystroem's Ishavet (Arctic Ocean).

[JBS]

Has this been mentioned

[Irons]

I like this list. The Garden of Fand is magnificent and underrated IMO. Rangström's 3rd Symphony Sang under Stjarnorna (Song under stars) is also an interesting choice. I feel it like Atterberg on steroids (not in a demeaning way of course).

Interesting you mention Atterberg. I sampled one work (forgotten which) and underwhelmed, some steroids would not been out of place. But if he is anything like Rangstrom I will try again.

[kyjo]

Interesting you mention Atterberg. I sampled one work (forgotten which) and underwhelmed, some steroids would not been out of place. But if he is anything like Rangstrom I will try again.

Underwhelmed by Atterberg! Impossible! I understand, his music may be too "bombastic" for some tastes. But I urge you to give him another try! Perhaps start with the 2nd, 3rd, or 6th symphonies. Or if you want something smaller-scale, try A Värmlands Rhapsody or the 5th Suite Barocco.

[SymphonicAddict]

I wonder which Atterberg's work caused you a bad impression, Irons. Kyle is right: Atterberg is consistently appealing. Besides what Kyle mentioned, I could recommend his Horn Concerto, Piano Concerto, the Piano Quintet (a reduction of his 6th Symphony), Symphony for strings, 5th and 8th symphonies, Intermezzo for string orchestra (so lovely and elegant), The River, and String Quartet No. 3. By the way, the 3rd Symphony has to do with the thread!

[kyjo]

I like Gösta Nystroem's Ishavet (Arctic Ocean).

Besides this and his moving Symphony no. 3 Sinfonia del mare, there's also his gorgeously evocative Songs by the Sea for soprano and orchestra.

[kyjo]

I wonder which Atterberg's work caused you a bad impression, Irons. Kyle is right: Atterberg is consistently appealing. Besides what Kyle mentioned, I could recommend his Horn Concerto, Piano Concerto, the Piano Quintet (a reduction of his 6th Symphony), Symphony for strings, 5th and 8th symphonies, Intermezzo for string orchestra (so lovely and elegant), The River, and String Quartet No. 3. By the way, the 3rd Symphony has to do with the thread!

Naturally, I agree!

[pjme]

Two French sea related rarities :

https://www.youtube.com/v/QmlBA_qhWNI

Saint Valéry is a lovely old village in the Baie de Somme (Bay of the Somme or Somme Bay), a large estuary in the Picardie région of France. The bay drains six rivers into the English Channel.
Louis (Félix André) Fourestier (31 May 1892 – 30 September 1976) was a French conductor, composer and pedagogue, and was one of the founders of the Orchestre Symphonique de Paris.

https://www.youtube.com/v/yWKW--RjMF4

Yves Marie Baudrier (February 11, 1906 – November 9, 1988) was a French composer. Along with André Jolivet, Olivier Messiaen and Jean-Yves Daniel-Lesur, he was a founder of the La jeune France movement.

Alfred Hill wrote "The sea" in 1941 : https://youtu.be/bUrr_mxt1p8

[Biffo]

The posting by pjme reminded me of Jean Cras. He spent all his career in the French Navy with composition being a side line. He has a fairly small output and surprisingly little of it has a nautical connection though he travelled extensively. The most extensive work with a link to the sea is Journal de bord, an orchestral suite lasting roughly 23 minutes; very atmospheric and well worth hearing.

[relm1]

Toshio Hosokawa: Circulating Ocean
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xzt9Xy0D6TU

Toshio Hosokawa: Memories of the Sea
<iframe src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/track/2QXAvAn9KpKAEq2PSWnHvT" width="300" height="380" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe>

John Luther Adams: Becoming Ocean
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGva1NVWRXk

[kyjo]

The posting by pjme reminded me of Jean Cras. He spent all his career in the French Navy with composition being a side line. He has a fairly small output and surprisingly little of it has a nautical connection though he travelled extensively. The most extensive work with a link to the sea is Journal de bord, an orchestral suite lasting roughly 23 minutes; very atmospheric and well worth hearing.

Yes, Journal de bord is a lovely work. Even though it's Cras' only work explicitly about the sea, much of his other music has a rather "maritime" quality to it.

[Irons]

I wonder which Atterberg's work caused you a bad impression, Irons. Kyle is right: Atterberg is consistently appealing. Besides what Kyle mentioned, I could recommend his Horn Concerto, Piano Concerto, the Piano Quintet (a reduction of his 6th Symphony), Symphony for strings, 5th and 8th symphonies, Intermezzo for string orchestra (so lovely and elegant), The River, and String Quartet No. 3. By the way, the 3rd Symphony has to do with the thread!

I checked my shelves and unfortunately it has gone - why is it whenever I dispose of a recording I end up regretting it! Of coarse after your and Kyle's advocacy I will have another crack and thanks for varied list of suggestions which are all noted.

Edit: I am pretty sure this was the one -



In fact I am certain.

[SymphonicAddict]

I checked my shelves and unfortunately it has gone - why is it whenever I dispose of a recording I end up regretting it! Of coarse after your and Kyle's advocacy I will have another crack and thanks for varied list of suggestions which are all noted.

Edit: I am pretty sure this was the one -



In fact I am certain.

Interesting because I'm not familiar with those pieces (I don't know the Pastoral Suite at all!). The other listed works are safe listens, I hope so!

[kyjo]

I checked my shelves and unfortunately it has gone - why is it whenever I dispose of a recording I end up regretting it! Of coarse after your and Kyle's advocacy I will have another crack and thanks for varied list of suggestions which are all noted.

Edit: I am pretty sure this was the one -



In fact I am certain.

I very much like the Suite Barocco and I think I've heard the Suite Pastorale at some point but can't remember it very well. However, Atterberg's greatest achievements are undoubtedly his symphonies (not a weak one among them IMO, except perhaps the 9th) and concerti, which are much meatier works.

[Irons]

I very much like the Suite Barocco and I think I've heard the Suite Pastorale at some point but can't remember it very well. However, Atterberg's greatest achievements are undoubtedly his symphonies (not a weak one among them IMO, except perhaps the 9th) and concerti, which are much meatier works.

There are more variables on vinyl and a lacklustre recording can be an influence. The best deal on eBay is the full set of symphonies (CD) rather then picking them off separately. I think the way to go is for me to sample on YT and take it from there. Thanks for all comments, much appreciated. 

[kyjo]

There are more variables on vinyl and a lacklustre recording can be an influence. The best deal on eBay is the full set of symphonies (CD) rather then picking them off separately. I think the way to go is for me to sample on YT and take it from there. Thanks for all comments, much appreciated.

Fortunately, all of his symphonies (and often different recordings of them) are easily available on YT. Ari Rasilainen's recordings are always a safe bet (Jarvi's are much more controversial). Happy exploring, and please report back with some impressions!