Wilhelm Peterson-Berger: Symphony No. 4 "Holmia"; Törnrossagan; Frösöblomster

Wilhelm Peterson-Berger (Composer), Michail Jurowski (Conductor), Norrköping Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Norrköping Symphony Orchestra
• Conductor: Michail Jurowski
• Composer: Wilhelm Peterson-Berger
• Audio CD (March 20, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Cpo Records
• ASIN: B000059QIQ
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #535,318 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Allegro Moderato

2. Andante Con Moto/Allegro Molto/Tempo I

3. Moderato

4. 1. Junker Kurt Möter Lyckan (Squire Kurt Meets Happiness): Moderato/Gajo

5. 2. Prinsessan Rosenkinds Födelsedagsfest (Princess Rosenkind's Birthday Party): Alla Marcia/Gajo E Con Pompa

6. 3. Lyckans Spinnvisa (Happiness' Spinning Song): Con Moto, Non Troppo

7. 4. Törnslottet Somnar (Sleeping Beauty's Castle Sleeps): Lento

8. 5. Prinsessan Epinee (Princess Epinee): Graziosa Alla Minuetto

9. 6. Vid Kejsar Cadignas Hov (At Emperor Cadigan's Court): Con Moto Maestoso

10. 7. På Flykt Genom Natt Och Skog (Flight Through The Night And The Forest): Agitato Non Troppo Moto/Moderato

11. 8. Dagen Gyr (The Dawning Of The Day): Andante

12. 9. Till Törnrossalotteet (To The Sleeping Beauty's Castle): Risoluto

13. 10. Lyckan (Slutapoteos) (Happiness - Apoteoso): Moderato

14. Sommarsång (Summer Song): Andante Con Moto

15. Vid Frösö Kyrka (At Froso Church): Lento

16. Till Rosorna (To The Roses): Moderato Poco Subito

17. Gratulation (Congratulation): Tempo Di Gavotta/Leggiero Con Grazia

18. Hälsning (Greeting): Semplice E Dolce

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb performances of delightful although not too profound music, March 11, 2010

By 

G.D. (Norway) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Wilhelm Peterson-Berger: Symphony No. 4 "Holmia"; Törnrossagan; Frösöblomster (Audio CD)

Wilhelm Peterson-Berger belongs to what must be termed the golden age of Swedish music - indeed, he was one of the instigators - seeking to combine a late romantic musical language inspired by Wagner with Swedish folk music as treated by e.g. Söderman; think, perhaps, a mixture of Wagner and Grieg and you are on the right track, especially if you add a hint of Vaughan Williams. And while he might not be the most prominent or distinguished or original among this group of composers (that honor does, presumably, go to Stenhammar), this is still a delightful disc of delectable music, with performances and a recorded sound to match.

Peterson-Berger's fourth, Holmia, evokes the city of Stockholm in the kind of atmospheric manner one usually associates with nature painting in music - sights and sounds and smells and tastes are evoked with skill and charm. Overall, it is a light-hearted work, utilizing Swedish folksongs but mixing traces of German, English and American influences (if ever so subtly) into it. The music is affectionate and touching rather than profound, but the end result is an eminently admirable work that really deserves to be heard.

The couplings, the Sleeping Beauty Suite and the orchestral version of a suite from his delightful piano cycle Frösöblomster, are also light-hearted and romantic with few attempts at profundity but all the more color, atmosphere and charm, memorable tunefulness and overall superb orchestral writing. The performances by the Norrköping Symphony Orchestra are superb, moving, light on their feet and full of life and vibrancy, and they are captured in splendid sound. A real treat, then, unless you require something really profound.