Pettersson's Pavilion

[Duke Bluebeard]

I still maintain that, for me, Pettersson's "better" symphonies are the trilogy of the 6th, 7th and 8th. It seems before and after these symphonies, he lost his footing so speak. I do like the choral symphony De döda på torget (The Dead of the Square) as it reminds me a little of Shostakovich's Babi Yar and Penderecki's 7th symphony.

He's certainly an acquired taste and one has to be 'okay' with the fact that the music's general mood doesn't change too often. Almost monolithic in this regard, which also kind of brings to mind some of the symphonies of Vermeulen for example.

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

I still maintain that, for me, Pettersson's "better" symphonies are the trilogy of the 6th, 7th and 8th. It seems before and after these symphonies, he lost his footing so speak.

I totally agree with your first sentence. But I do occasionally like to listen to some of the later ones (10, 11 & 14).

[André]

For me it's 6-11, a superb compositional arc. There's before and after that sequence - not necessarily of lesser quality, but I find him at his most relatable in these 6 works.

[DavidW]

I disagree with the above comments. Pettersson's 9th has become cemented as my favorite, and the idea that there is a huge falloff before or after the 6-8 arc I think is nonsense. His symphonies are surprisingly consistent in quality, just variable in expression.

As I mentioned in the listening thread, the 6th was my focus for December. I had it on repeat for a couple of weeks. I stuck to the Lindberg recording which was detailed and transparent. It is severely depressing though, so I don't recommend putting such a bleak symphony on repeat! That is probably why I'm in Bach, Haydn, Smetana, and Mendelssohn now.

[foxandpeng]

I disagree with the above comments. Pettersson's 9th has become cemented as my favorite, and the idea that there is a huge falloff before or after the 6-8 arc I think is nonsense. His symphonies are surprisingly consistent in quality, just variable in expression.

As I mentioned in the listening thread, the 6th was my focus for December. I had it on repeat for a couple of weeks. I stuck to the Lindberg recording which was detailed and transparent. It is severely depressing though, so I don't recommend putting such a bleak symphony on repeat! That is probably why I'm in Bach, Haydn, Smetana, and Mendelssohn now.

Agreed. Consistent throughout. 2 & 3 for me, today.

[Maestro267]

I've ordered a copy of CPO Symphony No. 9. It is time...

[foxandpeng]

I've ordered a copy of CPO Symphony No. 9. It is time...

*turns on smoke machine and damp November weather, whilst smoking harsh, Eastern European cigarettes, and wearing an inadequate, frayed overcoat*

[Maestro267]

So I found an essay comparing Pettersson 9 to Smetana's Vltava. Just writ very very large I guess.

[Duke Bluebeard]

I disagree with the above comments. Pettersson's 9th has become cemented as my favorite, and the idea that there is a huge falloff before or after the 6-8 arc I think is nonsense. His symphonies are surprisingly consistent in quality, just variable in expression.

As I mentioned in the listening thread, the 6th was my focus for December. I had it on repeat for a couple of weeks. I stuck to the Lindberg recording which was detailed and transparent. It is severely depressing though, so I don't recommend putting such a bleak symphony on repeat! That is probably why I'm in Bach, Haydn, Smetana, and Mendelssohn now.

If having an opinion that differs from your own is "nonsense", then I'm happy to live in my world of ignorance.

[AnotherSpin]

If having an opinion that differs from your own is "nonsense", then I'm happy to live in my world of ignorance.

I also think that singling out the 6th–8th symphonies as special while dismissing what came before and after is not entirely justified. I was also particularly impressed by the 9th, as well as the 4th, for instance.

[Duke Bluebeard]

I also think that singling out the 6th–8th symphonies as special while dismissing what came before and after is not entirely justified. I was also particularly impressed by the 9th, as well as the 4th, for instance.

And I share a different opinion. That's okay, isn't it?

[Spotted Horses]

And I share a different opinion. That's okay, isn't it?

You might get a different response if you simply said you don't enjoy or feel a connection with Pettersson outside of 6-8, instead of saying Pettersson had "lost his footing" in these works (i.e., stating they are poorly written works).

I have also had more success listening to 6-8, but don't assume this is due to lesser absolute quality, and that I won't eventually "get" the others, if I even find the time.

[Duke Bluebeard]

You might get a different response if you simply said you don't enjoy or feel a connection with Pettersson outside of 6-8, instead of saying Pettersson had "lost his footing" in these works (i.e., stating they are poorly written works).

I have also had more success listening to 6-8, but don't assume this is due to lesser absolute quality, and that I won't eventually "get" the others, if I even find the time.

The bottomline is simple: I shared an opinion and said opinion was met with one rather unfortunate response in the form of "nonsense". People should learn how to be more tolerant of other people's opinions without the need to put them down. Notice I didn't call @DavidW's opinion "nonsense", but yet he felt the need to basically tell me I'm full of it. This is what I didn't appreciate --- not the disagreement, but the way the disagreement was expressed.

[AnotherSpin]

And I share a different opinion. That's okay, isn't it?

At what point did I question your right to have an opinion?

[Duke Bluebeard]

At what point did I question your right to have an opinion?

You didn't. I'm merely reiterating that it's okay for someone to have an opinion that doesn't match your own.

[AnotherSpin]

You didn't. I'm merely reiterating that it's okay for someone to have an opinion that doesn't match your own.

My own opinions are not unchanging constants; they shift moment by moment, following the continuous and perpetual transformation of every single object in the manifested world. There's simply nothing to hold on to.

And what about other people's opinions? It's impossible to keep up with them, let alone argue. Let them sort it out themselves... 

[DavidW]

I also think that singling out the 6th–8th symphonies as special while dismissing what came before and after is not entirely justified. I was also particularly impressed by the 9th, as well as the 4th, for instance.

Yes the 4th is shockingly great!

[Duke Bluebeard]

Yes the 4th is shockingly great!

I thought it was shockingly 'meh'. But I might revisit it at some juncture.

[vandermolen]

I still maintain that, for me, Pettersson's "better" symphonies are the trilogy of the 6th, 7th and 8th. It seems before and after these symphonies, he lost his footing so speak. I do like the choral symphony De döda på torget (The Dead of the Square) as it reminds me a little of Shostakovich's Babi Yar and Penderecki's 7th symphony.

He's certainly an acquired taste and one has to be 'okay' with the fact that the music's general mood doesn't change too often. Almost monolithic in this regard, which also kind of brings to mind some of the symphonies of Vermeulen for example.

6,7 and 8 are my favourites as well + the (at the end) heartbreakingly moving Violin Concerto No.2

[Karl Henning]

Agreed. Consistent throughout. 2 & 3 for me, today.

I also think that singling out the 6th–8th symphonies as special while dismissing what came before and after is not entirely justified. I was also particularly impressed by the 9th, as well as the 4th, for instance.

Very interesting to see that there is a burgeoning consensus for the symphonies' consistency!