I completely agree with the choice of Serenade. It is a work that stands out in the Swedish orchestral repertoire. It is also important to mention Stenhammar as one of the foremost Swedish composers of songs, romances, wonderfully well-crafted.
A great choice. Such a delightful work. I recall reading somewhere that it was dedicated to his wife. If she was anything like mine, a beautiful composition would burst forth almost of its own accord. My acquaintance with it is an old Kubelik recording with the Stockholm Philharmonic.
I managed to find a recording of the Serenade by the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra conducted by Neeme Jarvi to listen to and I am knocked sideways by how much I am enjoying it (having never heard it before). I am now asking myself "Where has Stenhammer been in my life for the last 62 years?" I am looking forward to discovering his other works now. I am so grateful for the musical enlightenment you bring to my life.
A fan of Nordic orchestral music, of course I'm a fan of Stenhammar. Another worth consideration that might otherwise fall through the cracks of attention is the rhapsody for choir and orchestra, Midvinter. It highlights his skill at orchestrating folk elements that evoke unabashed nostalgia, both his style of orchestration and choral writing, etc. I love when the relevant solstice approaches because it gives me an excuse to repeatedly listen to the piece.
A second thumbs up for Stenhammar's 2nd Symphony. For me, a recently discovered gem. I would add the short, bracing early concert overture "Excelsior", op.13 The music well describes the meaning of the title, "upward" "optimistic", so when you get the urge to kick the cat, put on Neeme Jarvi's BIS recording of the Stenhammar work. You noted that the man was retiring, reticent? Perhaps he would be better known if he didn't share that part of the musical world that sits astride the arctic circle with the giants Grieg and Sibelius? Propinquity breeding benign neglect? Hm.....
I discovered the Serenade a few months ago and have listened to it about a dozen times. I can’t think of a more perfect piece of music. (I especially like the recording with Jarvi on Biss). It’s a completely individual work, with total mastery of the form, material, and orchestra, yet I hear influences, e.g. similarities to Elgar’s string serenade and even to one of the main themes in the last movement of Elgar’s 1st. The recurring horn call is in the spirit of Wagner’s Siegfried horn theme.
Dave, "Sången" is pronounced song-en, not zang-en or sang-en. The first part of the word, "sång", is pronounced just like the English word "song". I am not Swedish but I know the Swedish language quite well.
Just started to listen to the Brilliant Classics / licensed from BIS box yesterday. Serenade not included :( Symphony No. 1 has clapping and yelling at the end. Only other recording I found is Järvi (again) on DG. Are there any others?
I'm a fanatic. I love all of Stenhammar's music. Absolutely! His repertoire is small but it's all really lovely music.
I completely agree with the choice of Serenade. It is a work that stands out in the Swedish orchestral repertoire. It is also important to mention Stenhammar as one of the foremost Swedish composers of songs, romances, wonderfully well-crafted.
A great choice. Such a delightful work. I recall reading somewhere that it was dedicated to his wife. If she was anything like mine, a beautiful composition would burst forth almost of its own accord. My acquaintance with it is an old Kubelik recording with the Stockholm Philharmonic.
His Symphony #2 in G minor is phenomenal. the Serenade is new to me!
One of many great Swedish Symphonies from around the Great War! Stenhammar's best work IMHO.
I managed to find a recording of the Serenade by the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra conducted by Neeme Jarvi to listen to and I am knocked sideways by how much I am enjoying it (having never heard it before). I am now asking myself "Where has Stenhammer been in my life for the last 62 years?" I am looking forward to discovering his other works now. I am so grateful for the musical enlightenment you bring to my life.
That's a great performance--actually he did it twice. The first one, on BIS, has especially amazing sonics.
Dave, wow you are a wealth of a library of classics.. top of my list channel FOR SURE
A fan of Nordic orchestral music, of course I'm a fan of Stenhammar. Another worth consideration that might otherwise fall through the cracks of attention is the rhapsody for choir and orchestra, Midvinter. It highlights his skill at orchestrating folk elements that evoke unabashed nostalgia, both his style of orchestration and choral writing, etc. I love when the relevant solstice approaches because it gives me an excuse to repeatedly listen to the piece.
I've tried to get anyone who will listen to me to give Midvinter a shot. It's right up there with the best of his music!
Lodolezzi sjunger too!
Serenade it is!
A second thumbs up for Stenhammar's 2nd Symphony.
For me, a recently discovered gem.
I would add the short, bracing early concert overture "Excelsior", op.13
The music well describes the meaning of the title, "upward" "optimistic", so when you get the urge to kick the cat, put on Neeme Jarvi's BIS recording of the Stenhammar work.
You noted that the man was retiring, reticent?
Perhaps he would be better known if he didn't share that part of the musical world that sits astride the arctic circle with the giants Grieg and Sibelius?
Propinquity breeding benign neglect? Hm.....
I discovered the Serenade a few months ago and have listened to it about a dozen times. I can’t think of a more perfect piece of music. (I especially like the recording with Jarvi on Biss). It’s a completely individual work, with total mastery of the form, material, and orchestra, yet I hear influences, e.g. similarities to Elgar’s string serenade and even to one of the main themes in the last movement of Elgar’s 1st. The recurring horn call is in the spirit of Wagner’s Siegfried horn theme.
Dave, "Sången" is pronounced song-en, not zang-en or sang-en. The first part of the word, "sång", is pronounced just like the English word "song". I am not Swedish but I know the Swedish language quite well.
Well, since I asked, thanks!
Just started to listen to the Brilliant Classics / licensed from BIS box yesterday. Serenade not included :( Symphony No. 1 has clapping and yelling at the end. Only other recording I found is Järvi (again) on DG. Are there any others?
There are many others. I mentioned one in the video, but there are at least two others on BIS, one on Naxos, Kubelik did it on EMI...and a few others.
Dave, you mentioned No. 2, not No. 1