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BIS

Koch: Symphonies Nos. 3 & 4 / Swedish Radio Symphony, Hammarstrom

$21.99 Only 1 left

Details

Composer
KOCH, ERLAND VON
Artist
Hammarstrom
Format
CD
Label
BIS
Released
Feb 12, 2016
Catalog #
BIS-2169
UPC
7318590021699

About

Along with Lars-Erik Larsson and Dag Wirén, Erland von Koch was part of a generation of composers who all made their débuts during the 1930s. Active until the end of a very long life (1910–2009), von Koch became one of Sweden’s best loved composers, himself describing his artistic goals as follows: ‘I aim for a simple, clear, melodic style, often with elements of folk tone and with a definite rhythmic profile... The older you get, the more aware you become of the importance of melody.’ One of von Koch’s most frequently performed orchestral works is Nordiskt capriccio, which was inspired by a folk tune from Dalecarlia, and which forms the festive finale on the present disc. The compositions which precede it here are less well known, however – Impulsi (the first part of a triptych later completed with the works Echi and Ritmi) was taken up by conductors such as Sergiu Comis­siona and Walter Weller, but the two symphonies appear for the first time on disc. Especially in Symphony No.3, influences from Bartók and Hindemith can be detected – composed in 1948, it is a work which in its thematic material contrasts defiance with lyricism and, finally, a feeling of release. Sinfonia seria, von Koch’s fourth work in the genre, followed a few years later, undergoing a final revision in 1962. As indicated by the title, the underlying mood of the work is grave and bittersweet – possibly this is reflected in the composer’s own words regarding the thankless task of writing symphonies: ‘They are rarely played – especially if they are Swedish – and it takes a long time before they are “discovered” and accepted, if indeed they ever are.’ With this disc, the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra and conductor Per Hammarström are making their case for a hoped-for, and long overdue ‘discovery’ of Erland von Koch’s symphonies.

Tracklist 8 tracks

  1. 1 I. Allegro moderato 07:15
    Track
    1
    Title
    I. Allegro moderato
    Duration
    07:15
    Composer
    Erland von Koch
    Ensemble
    Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Per Hammarstrom
  2. 2 II. Adagio espressivo 07:58
    Track
    2
    Title
    II. Adagio espressivo
    Duration
    07:58
    Composer
    Erland von Koch
    Ensemble
    Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Per Hammarstrom
  3. 3 III. Allegro agitato 08:04
    Track
    3
    Title
    III. Allegro agitato
    Duration
    08:04
    Composer
    Erland von Koch
    Ensemble
    Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Per Hammarstrom
  4. 4 I. Andante - Quasi presto - Andante 05:21
    Track
    4
    Title
    I. Andante - Quasi presto - Andante
    Duration
    05:21
    Composer
    Erland von Koch
    Ensemble
    Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Per Hammarstrom
  5. 5 II. Moderato 07:38
    Track
    5
    Title
    II. Moderato
    Duration
    07:38
    Composer
    Erland von Koch
    Ensemble
    Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Per Hammarstrom
  6. 6 III. Allegro 07:15
    Track
    6
    Title
    III. Allegro
    Duration
    07:15
    Composer
    Erland von Koch
    Ensemble
    Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Per Hammarstrom
  7. 7 Impulsi-trilogin (Impulsi Trilogy): Impulsi 11:17
    Track
    7
    Title
    Impulsi-trilogin (Impulsi Trilogy): Impulsi
    Duration
    11:17
    Composer
    Erland von Koch
    Ensemble
    Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Per Hammarstrom
  8. 8 Nordiskt capriccio (Nordic Capriccio), Op. 26 06:21
    Track
    8
    Title
    Nordiskt capriccio (Nordic Capriccio), Op. 26
    Duration
    06:21
    Composer
    Erland von Koch
    Ensemble
    Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Per Hammarstrom