"Bailey, Bert" <[log in to unmask]>:

>There was nothing else in the CD shop by Rangstrom.  But the rep.  reported
>seeing a well-priced 3-volume CPO set of Rangstrom's symphonies arrive and
>leave his store within twenty minutes!  There's no accounting for just why
>that happened, but before I could bat an eye he'd ordered me another set,
>no obligation. ...
>
>Could anyone advise me about what to expect with this music, and perhaps
>this set of symphonies? Maybe some influences, kindred music, etc.?

Rangstroem is to music what Strindberg is to litterature.  He wrote
interesting, powerful, dramatic orchestral music as well as about 300
songs, that very well catches the mood of the texts they are set to.

What I recommend is the symphonies; again very dramatic, powerful
music, with bold accords and burning of fire.  I have the CPO set of the
symphonies, and I like them very much, especially symphonies 1 & 3.  They
are well worth investigating!

Further it could be said that Rangstroem has something in common with
Glinka, and to some extent Prokofijev (his music doesn't actually sound
like any of those), that you may not expect long developments, only the
IDEA is important, and like Glinka, Rangstroem only gives hints about what
he can do.

You may also consider the opera "Kronbruden" (Crownbride), with
is Wagenrian (Rangstroem studied for Julius Hey) "sprechgesang" and
leitmotiftechnique, which is extended so also certain keys are the sign
for different charathers and happenings in the opera.  Some call this opera
"The Swedish Nationalopera".  I don't know of any commercial recording of
the opera, but some videos have been circulating.

Mats Norrman
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