Your Top 10 Nordic Works

[Mirror Image]

Now it's time have some more fun. What are your Top 10 Favorite Nordic Works? When I say Nordic I mean to include, besides the Scandinavian countries, Iceland as well. One stipulation for your lists: you can only choose one work from a composer. It's time to feel that arctic chill...

My list (in no particular order):

Sibelius: Symphony No. 4
Nielsen: Symphony No. 5
Langgaard: Music of the Spheres
Holmboe: Symphony No. 3 'Sinfonia Rustica'
Norgard: Symphony No. 3
Pettersson: Symphony No. 7
Lindberg: Violin Concerto
Atterberg: Symphony No. 3 'Västkustbilder'
Leifs: Réminiscence du nord
Nystroem: Sinfonia del Mare

[North Star]

Sibelius: Symphony no. 6
Raitio: Vesipatsas (Water Column)
Aho: Clarinet Concerto
Salonen: Piano Concerto

Nielsen: Clarinet Concerto
Langgaard: Music of the Spheres
Holmboe: Chamber Symphony No. 2, Op. 100 'Elegy'

Atterberg: Symphony No. 3 'Västkustbilder'

Grieg : Violin Sonata no. 2

Leifs: Dettifoss

[Christo]

'Nordic' (as opposed to 'Scandinavian') includes Latvia and Estonia, IMO. My first attempt comprises mostly symphonies:

Nielsen, Symphony No. 5
Holmboe, Symphony No. 8 'Sinfonia Boreale'
Irgens-Jensen, Symphony
Tveitt, A Hundred Folk Melodies from Hardanger
Nystroem, Symphony No. 3 'Sinfonia del Mare'
Vasks, Symphony No. 2
Tubin, Symphony No. 6
Tormis, Forgotten Peoples
Madetoja, Symphony No. 2
Sibelius, Tapiola

[North Star]

'Nordic' (as opposed to 'Scandinavian') includes Latvia and Estonia, IMO. My first attempt comprises of mostly Nordic symphonies:

Nordic = Scandinavia + Iceland. Latvia & Estonia are not among the Nordic countries.

[Mirror Image]

'Nordic' (as opposed to 'Scandinavian') includes Latvia and Estonia, IMO. My first attempt comprises mostly symphonies:

Nielsen, Symphony No. 5
Holmboe, Symphony No. 8 'Sinfonia Boreale'
Irgens-Jensen, Symphony
Tveitt, A Hundred Folk Melodies from Hardanger
Nystroem, Symphony No. 3 'Sinfonia del Mare'
Vasks, Symphony No. 2
Tubin, Symphony No. 6
Tormis, Forgotten Peoples
Madetoja, Symphony No. 2
Sibelius, Tapiola

Please revise your list, Johan. Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania are apart of the Baltic and, thus, called Baltic states. Iceland, of course, is a Nordic country, which is why I included it as a part of my own list.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baltic_states

[Christo]

Please revise your list, Johan. Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania are apart of the Baltic and, thus, called Baltic states. Iceland, of course, is a Nordic country, which is why I included it as a part of my own list.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baltic_states

I know, but I disagree. Lithuania is clearly more Central-European oriented, both Latvia and Estonia more towards the other Nordic countries. Heaping them together as 'Baltic states' is a misunderstanding, IMHO. I propose to take Finland, Estonia and Latvia together and you might call them 'Baltic' if you want. 'Baltic States' is is misnomer in any case, though sometimes  in use by people who want to refer to their similar fate during the Stalin years and after.

You see, I object. 

[North Star]

I know, but I disagree. Lithuania is clearly more Central-European oriented, both Latvia and Estonia more towards the other Nordic countries. Heaping them together as 'Baltic states' is a misunderstanding, IMHO. I propose to take Finland, Estonia and Latvia together and you might call them 'Baltic' if you want. 'Baltic States' is is misnomer in any case, though sometimes  in use by people who want to refer to their similar fate during the Stalin years and after.

You see, I object. 

Grr, Finland's culture is connected to the Scandiwegian & Icelandic cultures, the countries south of the Baltic are not.

[Mirror Image]

I know, but I disagree. Lithuania is clearly more Central-European oriented, both Latvia and Estonia more towards the other Nordic countries. Heaping them together as 'Baltic states' is a misunderstanding, IMHO. I propose to take Finland, Estonia and Latvia together and you might call them 'Baltic' if you want. 'Baltic States' is is misnomer in any case, though sometimes  in use by people who want to refer to their similar fate during the Stalin years and after.

You see, I object. 

Like Karlo suggested, the Baltic states have no connection whatsoever with the Nordic countries. What history do these countries (Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia) share with the Nordics (Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland)?

[The new erato]

Jeeeeesus; another one of those threads!

[North Star]

Like Karlo suggested, the Baltic states have no connection whatsoever with the Nordic countries. What history do these countries (Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia) share with the Nordics (Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland)?

Well that is going too far. Finnish language & culture has a good bit in common with those of Estonia, but the influence of the Swedish-speaking elite in Finland is what makes Finland a part of the Nordic countries culturally. And the fact that it's on the northern coast of the Baltic, geographically.

Jeeeeesus; another one of those threads!

Herregud!

[The new erato]

Herregud!

[Mirror Image]

Okay, folks, let's not derail this poll any further and let's just get back to our lists and why we like the works therein. Thanks!

[Sergeant Rock]

Okay, folks, let's not derail this poll any further...

Wait!! I haven't had my say yet.





Okay, back to the poll 

Sarge

[vandermolen]

Wonderful - another list.

Sibelius: Tapiola
Madetoja: Symphony 2
Norgard: Sinfonia Austera
Klami: Kalevala Suite
Rosenberg: Symphony 3
Egge: Symphony 1
Nystroem: Sinfonia del Mare
Pettersson: Violin Concerto No.2
Blomdahl: Symphony 1
Atterberg: Sinfonia Funebre (5th Symphony)

Bonus choices 

Stenhammar: Symphony 2
Langgaard: Symphony 4

[Sergeant Rock]

Nielsen Symphony No.3 "Sinfonia espansiva"
Grieg Peer Gynt
Rautavaara Cantus Arcticus
Sibelius Symphony No.5
Atterberg Symphony No.6 "Dollar"
Pettersson Symphony No.6
Stenhammar Symphony No.2 G minor
Berwald Symphony No.2 D major "Sinfonie capricieuse"
Fartein Valen Symphony No.2 op.40
Alfvén Symphony No.4 C minor "From the Outermost Skerries"


Sarge

[DaveF]

But isn't Tubin allowed, given that he spent most of his life, and composed most of his music, in Sweden?

However, I'll try to avoid him; not sure I'll get to 10, but must add a few notable (so far) absentees:

Nielsen: Commotio
Sibelius: Symphony no.7
Buxtehude: Membra Jesu nostri
Berwald: Symphony no.3
Svendsen: Symphony no.1
Valen: Violin concerto
Rosenberg: Symphony no.4
Kokkonen: Symphony no.4
Leifs: Organ concerto
Grieg: Violin sonata no.3

[Christo]

What history do these countries (Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia) share with the Nordics (Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland)?

Errr, well, most? At least most of the last nine hundred years? But also most of the earlier Middle Ages (e.g. Viking Era). Both historically and culturally, they're close connections as every traveler will know. I happen to be a historian - and I stand firm.   

But I agree to leave Lithuania out, as said. That's Central Europe, also in terms of its musical culture. 

[The new erato]

Wait!! I haven't had my say yet.





Okay, back to the poll 

Sarge

Pacific 442 isn't written by a Nordic composer.

Fine thread with some very interesting lists BTW.

[vandermolen]

But isn't Tubin allowed, given that he spent most of his life, and composed most of his music, in Sweden?

However, I'll try to avoid him; not sure I'll get to 10, but must add a few notable (so far) absentees:

Nielsen: Commotio
Sibelius: Symphony no.7
Buxtehude: Membra Jesu nostri
Berwald: Symphony no.3
Svendsen: Symphony no.1
Valen: Violin concerto
Rosenberg: Symphony no.4
Kokkonen: Symphony no.4
Leifs: Organ concerto
Grieg: Violin sonata no.3

Nearly chose the Kokkonen myself - a great brooding work along with the similarly powerful Symphony 3 by Merilainen.

[The new erato]

But isn't Tubin allowed, given that he spent most of his life, and composed most of his music, in Sweden?

However, I'll try to avoid him; not sure I'll get to 10, but must add a few notable (so far) absentees:

Nielsen: Commotio
Sibelius: Symphony no.7
Buxtehude: Membra Jesu nostri
Berwald: Symphony no.3
Svendsen: Symphony no.1
Valen: Violin concerto
Rosenberg: Symphony no.4
Kokkonen: Symphony no.4
Leifs: Organ concerto
Grieg: Violin sonata no.3

And extremely nice pick of that Buxtehude!