Berwald: Symphonies No. 3 ("Sinfonie singulière") & 4; Piano Concerto in D Major

Franz Berwald (Composer), Okko Kamu (Conductor), Helsingborg Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra), Niklas Sivelöv (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Niklas Sivelöv
• Orchestra: Helsingborg Symphony Orchestra
• Conductor: Okko Kamu
• Composer: Franz Berwald
• Audio CD (April 23, 1996)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Naxos
• ASIN: B00000143P
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #101,163 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #48 in Music > Classical > Historical Periods > Romantic (c.1820-1910) > General
  • #91 in Music > Classical > Historical Periods > Romantic (c.1820-1910) > General AAS

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Berwald's single Piano Concerto is one of the most interesting works of its type. Having always been interested in formal experiment, the composer has the soloist play throughout, and the piece can be performed both with and without the orchestra. What makes the whole thing so interesting is that you would never at all suspect that the orchestral part is optional. It's really fun to listen to, and this excellent disc also throws in two terrific symphonies. One of them, the Symphony No. 3 Singulière, is the first great symphony by a Scandinavian composer. If you haven't made the acquaintance of this Swedish master, a contemporary of both Beethoven and Mendelssohn, here's your chance. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Surprising, October 4, 2000

By 

Ryan Richards "reb77" (Midland, MI United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Berwald: Symphonies No. 3 ("Sinfonie singulière") & 4; Piano Concerto in D Major (Audio CD)

This is a wonderful recording. I'm biased because I like anything Okku Kamu does, but the Helsingborg SO is up to the task, performing in tempo with a surprising amount of depth and richness to their sound. The music is good too; it sounds very Mendelssohnian in its long, lyrical veins of melody. It tends to wander a bit more than Mendelssohn does, but overall the pieces presented here share an amazing amount with Mendelssohn, Beethoven and even Mozart, and there's no reason they shouldn't be better known.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars berwald the obscure--a musical genius?, March 5, 2010

By 

Romualdo Monteclar "musicmaniac" (hanover, pa) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Berwald: Symphonies No. 3 ("Sinfonie singulière") & 4; Piano Concerto in D Major (Audio CD)

A bit tired of my usual diet of Schubert/Schumann, I tried my humble ears to this unknown composer Franz Berwald-- and

what a stupendous surprise! His music seemed familiar and yet different, and being unschooled in music I just couldn't

explain this musical experience; well, I had thought his symphonies were written along the vein of Schubert, but then I realized his (after relistening) were more intricate and dazzlingly beautiful. Bravo Berwald!

5.0 out of 5 stars Berwald: Symphonies No. 3 ("Sinfonie singulière") & 4; Piano Concerto in D Major, April 18, 2011

By 

Bjorn Viberg (European Union) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Berwald: Symphonies No. 3 ("Sinfonie singulière") & 4; Piano Concerto in D Major (Audio CD)

Berwald: Symphonies No. 3 ("Sinfonie singulière") & 4; Piano Concerto in D Major is a recording under the direction Okku Kamu who leads the Helsingborg Symphony Orchestra on this Naxos recording from 1995. First I have to say that Helsingborg Symphony Orchestra does a very good job. Much better then I expected. Berwald was not famous during his life time but I hope that many people start to listen to his music and realize that he was a true genius. Highly recommended. 5/5.