Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(4)
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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.

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!

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.

In a fantastic recording by Naxos, and as always at a great price, you can learn on alternative composers and further refine your scope in classical music.

The piano concerto is open and enjoyable.