Atterberg: Orchestral Works, Vol. 3 Göteborgs Symphony Orchestar & Neeme Järvi 

• Kurt Atterberg (1887 - 1974): Symphony No. 1 in B Minor, Op. 3 (1913 Version):
• 1I. Allegro con fuoco09:48
• 2II. Adagio -08:30
• 3III. Presto06:58
• 4IV. Adagio11:24
• Symphony No. 5 in D Minor, Op. 20 "Sinfonia funèbre" (1947 Version):
• 5I. Pesante allegro -07:31
• 6II. Lento -06:35
• 7III. Allegro molto12:20
• Total Runtime01:03:06

Info for Atterberg: Orchestral Works, Vol. 3

Neeme Järvi and the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra continue their Atterberg survey with this third volume of symphonies. Atterberg’s music will be in the spotlight this summer with the celebration surveying Nordic composers Nielsen and Sibelius.

Atterberg sent the first three completed movements of his Symphony No. 1 to Stockholm’s Royal Academy, seeking a scholarship in order to travel to several cities in Germany to attend musical performances. When he came back he added a finale with an introductory Adagio in which he, as it were, ‘reminded’ himself of what he had already composed. The first performance of the symphony, in 1912 – also Atterberg’s first concert as a conductor – was warmly welcomed although the work was thought very modern; six months later it became the first of Atterberg’s works to be played abroad.

Atterberg also conducted the premiere of his Symphony No. 5, which gets its title ‘Funebre’ from the slow, tragic second movement, particularly an elegiac motive in the first theme. The movement is a sort of lament over his unaccomplished early dreams and hopes. Atterberg made several revisions to this work, even rewriting the last movement twenty-five years later, and it is the revised version that has been recorded here.

"with its Romantic richness and driving dark energy, it's no exaggeration to say [the Fifth] prefigures classic 1930s and '40s horror film scores...Neeme Jarvi's performances are generally energetic and likeable...the fine SACD sound displays the Gothenburg players to advantage." (BBC Music Magazine)

"the First Symphony is a rewarding listen, especially in this full-blooded account from the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, and Neeme Järvi has the measure of the composer's style…the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra bring out [the Fifth's] wild moods beautifully." (Gramophone Magazine)

Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra
Neeme Järvi, conductor

No biography found.

Booklet for Atterberg: Orchestral Works, Vol. 3