Allan Pettersson for Newbies

[Tapio Dimitriyevich Shostakovich]

I think No. 9 is also worth listening, but I agree: Much other stuff to explore (I don't know all of the RVW or Shostakovich symphonies).
Tried Pettersson #13 once, but won't retry. Too hard to crack.

[Mirror Image]

Well #7 is what I'll go for next.  I won't try anything outside of #6-8 until I've explored all three since you and a couple of other posters shared the same sentiment.

Well #6-8 are masterpieces in my opinion. I had someone tell me the exact same thing as I told you: listen to 6-8. I did and I was hooked, but as I progressed past the 8th, I found much the music to be disappointing. Those contrasts (i.e. light, dark) aren't evident in his later works, they just seem like a bunch of dissonant note-spinning with no real purpose. I do, however, need to go and listen to No. 10 as I recall it being pretty decent.

All of this said, my box of Pettersson symphonies is now one of prized possessions and I'm glad I finally forced myself to listen to his music, because my first impressions of his music was "This is morbidly depressing..." but now I've come to enjoy his pessimistic music for what it is: a unique view of the world that was around him.

[vandermolen]

My work colleague (fellow CD nut) raves about Symphony No 4 - so I must try that soon.

[Mirror Image]

My work colleague (fellow CD nut) raves about Symphony No 4 - so I must try that soon.

I don't recall the 4th being particularly inspired, but I will give it another listen.

[Mirror Image]

I can now fully endorse Pettersson's Violin Concerto No. 2. What a remarkable work.

[Grazioso]

Just finished listening to the Seventh Symphony on YouTube,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bMNzqMkW3U

This is from someone who has never listened to any Pettersson before, so here are my thoughts,

Yes it's bleak-ish, certainly tonal, but a degree of discord, it's definitely relentless, quite repetitive, reminds me of the first movement of Shostakovich's Tenth in a way, it's a 45 minute one movement work, therefore it's hard to find your way around, it would have been better to compose it in say four sections, there's a lovely quiet string section about 30 minutes in, it's breathtaking, the very best bit of the Symphony.

The more you listen to this one, the more I think you'll find the structure to be both clear and masterfully implemented. There's subtle organic growth occurring throughout the work instead of a traditional delineation of first and second theme, etc. As you get familiar with the themes and their development, you'll notice them being adumbrated well before they take center stage. Part of what makes the 7th so appealing to me is not just its enormous emotional impact but its craftsmanship: at his best Pettersson is a true symphonist.

[The new erato]

The more you listen to this one, the more I think you'll find the structure to be both clear and masterfully implemented. There's subtle organic growth occurring throughout the work instead of a traditional delineation of first and second theme, etc.

Oh yes; indeed. That's what makes it a masterpiece and Pettersson a master.

[Mirror Image]

The more you listen to this one, the more I think you'll find the structure to be both clear and masterfully implemented. There's subtle organic growth occurring throughout the work instead of a traditional delineation of first and second theme, etc. As you get familiar with the themes and their development, you'll notice them being adumbrated well before they take center stage. Part of what makes the 7th so appealing to me is not just its enormous emotional impact but its craftsmanship: at his best Pettersson is a true symphonist.

Pettersson was a master of the gritty idiom he chose to compose in. I'm quite in awe of his Symphonies Nos. 6-8 and not to mention his Violin Concerto No. 2, which has that light/dark constrast throughout which makes the afore mentioned symphonies completely compelling.

[AP100]

Hi everyone,

For those of you who are interested, please visit my blog which I created for the occassion of Allan Pettersson's upcoming 100th birthday. My goal is to listen to all of his orchestral works (+Barefoot songs and Seven Sonatas) before his birthday and to blog about it. Feel free to leave comments or feedback!

[springrite]

Hi everyone,

For those of you who are interested, please visit my blog which I created for the occassion of Allan Pettersson's upcoming 100th birthday. My goal is to listen to all of his orchestral works (+Barefoot songs and Seven Sonatas) before his birthday and to blog about it. Feel free to leave comments or feedback!

uh...uh...ah...uh... where is it?

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

uh...uh...ah...uh... where is it?

Good question!

[karlhenning]

It's got to be this one.

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

You're right... Followed.

[Tapio Dimitriyevich Shostakovich]

It's got to be this one.

Interesting, I followed the links and I'm glad to see there's some activity again. There's a P7 concert later the year in Germany I wish I could see the 6th one day.

[AP100]

Hi everyone,

Wow, it's a good thing I'm not in the marketing business.  I advertised my blog today, but didn't even provide the address. If you haven't found it already from earlier posts, here it is:

http://allanpettersson100.blogspot.com/

Spread the word to all the Pettersson fans you know (besides yourself!) and to anyone who may be interested. Pettersson is not played to quite the same extent as Brahms, so any help would be great.

Thanks!

[Lethevich]

Thanks for the link, I'll be a regular visitor.

[Sergeant Rock]

There's a P7 concert later the year in Germany

Where? What orchestra? Who's conducting?

Sarge

[Tapio Dimitriyevich Shostakovich]

Where? What orchestra? Who's conducting?

18. und 19. September 2011, Oldenburg (Staatstheater)
7. Sinfonie
Staatsorchester Oldenburg, Peter Ruzicka

(source)

[AP100]

Right on his 100th birthday (19 September)!

[Sergeant Rock]

(source)

Thanks. Mrs. Rock's sister lives in Bremen. We could combine a family visit with the concert.

Sarge