BIS
Gramophone Editor’s Choice
Pettersson: Symphonies Nos 3 & 8
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Details
- Composer
- Allan Pettersson
- Artist
- Norrkoping Symphony Orchestra
- Format
- SACD
- Discs
- 1
- Label
- BIS
- Released
- Feb 27, 2026
- Catalog #
- BIS-2740
- UPC
- 7318599927404
About
Since 2010, Christian Lindberg and the Norrköping Symphony Orchestra have embarked on a unique and ambitious project: a complete performance and recording cycle of the orchestral works of Allan Pettersson, the Swedish master symphonist renowned for his deeply personal and emotionally charged compositions. Premiered in 1956, Symphony No. 3 is distinctive within Pettersson's extensive symphonic output as his only symphony in four movements, adhering to a more traditional structure. While an early work reflecting influences of Shostakovich, Sibelius, and Mahler, it is far from a minor achievement. Though the lyrical passages that would later define his style are not yet fully developed, the symphony offers a concise and sharply etched musical landscape, both impressive and strikingly original. Symphony No. 8, premiered in 1972, is arguably Pettersson's most celebrated and frequently performed symphony. It's extended, often described as "free" or "never-ending," melodies create an impression of boundless continuation, yet the work is far from tranquil. As is characteristic of Pettersson, the symphony possesses a strong autobiographical element. In his own words: "The work I am working on is my own life, the one that is blessed, the one that is cursed: I devote myself to it in order to rediscover the song that the soul once sang."
Critic reviews
“…in terms of orchestral virtuosity, I would aver that this is the finest, most confidently played version [of the Eighth Symphony] yet… Interpretatively, what Lindberg – now the most experienced Pettersson conductor of them all – does so well is to let the music flow, and at pace when needed…”
Gramophone, Editor’s choice, March 2026
“What’s never in doubt is this music’s strange power and magnificence, qualities amplified by the polish and dedication of Christian Lindberg and the Norrköping orchestra, a team that has spent 15 years gradually documenting Pettersson’s orchestral output.”
BBC Music Magazine, 4 stars, March 2026
Tracklist 6 tracks
-
1 Part I 19:32
- Track
- 1
- Title
- Part I
- Duration
- 19:32
- Composer
- Allan Pettersson
- Ensemble
- Norrköpings Symfoniorkester
- Conductor
- Christian Lindberg
-
2 Part II 25:14
- Track
- 2
- Title
- Part II
- Duration
- 25:14
- Composer
- Allan Pettersson
- Ensemble
- Norrköpings Symfoniorkester
- Conductor
- Christian Lindberg
-
3 I. Introduzione (Andante con moto): Allegro con moto 12:36
- Track
- 3
- Title
- I. Introduzione (Andante con moto): Allegro con moto
- Duration
- 12:36
- Composer
- Allan Pettersson
- Ensemble
- Norrköpings Symfoniorkester
- Conductor
- Christian Lindberg
-
4 II. Largo con espressione - 08:55
- Track
- 4
- Title
- II. Largo con espressione -
- Duration
- 08:55
- Composer
- Allan Pettersson
- Ensemble
- Norrköpings Symfoniorkester
- Conductor
- Christian Lindberg
-
5 III. Allegro comodo: Allegro deciso - 04:15
- Track
- 5
- Title
- III. Allegro comodo: Allegro deciso -
- Duration
- 04:15
- Composer
- Allan Pettersson
- Ensemble
- Norrköpings Symfoniorkester
- Conductor
- Christian Lindberg
-
6 IV. Allegro con moto (tempo di prima parte) 12:32
- Track
- 6
- Title
- IV. Allegro con moto (tempo di prima parte)
- Duration
- 12:32
- Composer
- Allan Pettersson
- Ensemble
- Norrköpings Symfoniorkester
- Conductor
- Christian Lindberg