Franz Berwald: Symphonies Nos. 1-4

Product Description:
Franz Berwald (1796-1868) and his music were largely forgotten until the late 20th century, when his works, especially his four symphonies, were revived with overwhelming success. After decades of almost total neglect, Berwald has come to be considered what one modern critic called "the most individual and significant musical personality Sweden has ever produced". Although Berwald used isolated features of Nordic folk music, he was more of a romantic nationalist and also differed clearly from his national contemporaries who deferred to Liszt and Wagner in matters of tonal idiom, form and structure. Conductor David Montgomery was the last pupil of the legendary conductor René Leibowitz. He made his debut in 1969 at the Schönberg Festival in Lyon. That same year, he began his work as Associate Conductor with the Santa Fe Opera. Numerous appearances as conductor and pianist in Europe and the United States followed. Montgomery’s film debut took place at Columbia! Pictures as conductor in 1993, and behind the scenes as historical consultant for Martin Scorsese’s The Age of Innocence.

Tracks:

I. Allegro Con Energia
II. Adagio Maestoso
III. Stretto
IV. Finale: Adagio. Allegro Molto
I. Allegro
II. Andante
III. Allegro Assai

Tracks:

I. Allegro Fuocoso
II. Adagio. Scherzo: Allegro Assai. Adagio
III. Final: Presto
I. Allegro Risoluto
II. Adagio
III. Scherzo: Allegro Molto
IV. Finale: Allegro Vivace

Album Description

Franz Berwald (1796-1868) and his music were largely forgotten until the late 20th century, when his works, especially his four symphonies, were revived with overwhelming success. After decades of almost total neglect, Berwald has come to be considered what one modern critic called "the most individual and significant musical personality Sweden has ever produced". Although Berwald used isolated features of Nordic folk music, he was more of a romantic nationalist and also differed clearly from his national contemporaries who deferred to Liszt and Wagner in matters of tonal idiom, form and structure. Conductor David Montgomery was the last pupil of the legendary conductor René Leibowitz. He made his debut in 1969 at the Schönberg Festival in Lyon. That same year, he began his work as Associate Conductor with the Santa Fe Opera. Numerous appearances as conductor and pianist in Europe and the United States followed. Montgomery's film debut took place at Columbia! Pictures as conductor in 1993, and behind the scenes as historical consultant for Martin Scorsese's The Age of Innocence.

Berwald: Symphonies Nos. 1 "Sinfonie sérieuse" & 4 "Sinfonie naive"

Average customer rating:

A nice recording, but not incredible

Berwald: Symphonies Nos. 1 "Sinfonie sérieuse" & 4 "Sinfonie naive"

Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Symphony No. 9 / Overture in C
Bartok: Concerto for Orchestra; Kossuth
A Swedish Serenade
Hindemith: Symphony 'Mathis der Maler'/Trauermusik/Symphonic Metamorphosis

ASIN: B00000E54X
Release Date: 1993-10-12

Customer Reviews:

A nice recording, but not incredible.......2003-05-16

Very nicely played by the SFS and well recorded by Decca/London, these symphonies receive a fairly lively but straightforward interpretation from Blomstedt. Not dull, but the performances never quite catch fire either.