James Zehm wrote:

>Mikael Rasmusson <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
>>His opera "Kronbruden" ("the Crowned Bride") is a direct adaption (word
>>by word) of the first four acts of Strindberg's play.  A TV-version (of
>>the opera) was produced in 1990, and the opera was also staged in Malmoe,
>>Sweden less than a year ago.
>
>This wonderful opera should be the Swedish National Opera!  (Of course
>there is also Arnjot).

I agree, but Helmer is not so sure!  By the way, there's also
Peterson-Bergers "Domedagsprofeterna" and "Adils och Elisiv".  The former
one is very entertaining and the last one has never been given a fair
chance (Indeed, it's premiere was more or less sabotaged).

>Ture Rangstroem always had to hear that he lacked contrapunctual technique,
>but listen to the Stringquartett in G minor: The prestissimofugato in the
>finale is alone enough to prove he really could write contrapunct!

Yes, but his material is usually not suited for contrapunctual. He was
skilled enough, he just chose another path, which tiny Jante-Sweden couldn't
accept completely.

>>He seems to have been a very passionate man, and he wasn't the man
>>who could forgive and forget.  In that sense he was even worse than
>>Peterson-Berger.
>
>True, and THIS is something one can hear in his music!

The heat is (always) on, as ABBA-Agnetha would have put it!

>>The book does not try to put Rangstroem's music in context, and that's
>>fine, because his music is highly original.  But in the middle of the book,
>>the author suddenly feels urged to state that Stenhammar is a superior
>>composer to Rangstroem.
>
>To me Stenhammar could be said to be superiour as he shows more examples
>on correct technioque, but in matters of talent I consider Rangstroem
>superior, but I know many don't agree with me.

I do agree. R's muiscal ideas are always interesting!

>On CD there are some I especially want to recommend:
>
>Complete Symphonies: Norrkoeping SO/Jurowskij on CPO

Yes, #1,2 and 4 are excellent.  The ultimate intrepretation of #3 is with
Helsingborg Symphony Orchestra and Janos Furst.  It was first released on
EMI back in 1979 coupled with Hakan Hagegaards rendition of King Erik's
Songs.  The Symphony has been re-released on Sterling (CD) c/w #1 conducted
by Segerstam.  #4 is also available with Ahronovitch on Caprice c/w the
Orchestral Suite "Vauxhall", which is a very charming piece.

>Songs: Svenden/Hagegaard on Musica Sveciae

Haven't heard this one, but I guess it's hard to beat Gedda/Eyron on
Bluebell (2 CDs) There's also Erland Hagegaard/Scheja on a Caprice LP.  By
the way I've got the works from SWS 33149 on CD.  It's also SWS but I don't
know the exact number, because most of my CDs and all my LPs are in Sweden.

I've also got some of his Chamber Works on a Caprice LP (Suite #1 and 2 for
Violin/piano, Improvisata, Four Preludes).

By the way, I posted this review to the Scandinavian Music List and
it turned out that Martin Anderson from Toccata Press is interested in
translating this book (I belive his is on this list as well).  James,
Do you know how I or Martin can get in touch with the publisher or Axel
Helmer? There's no information in the book whatsoever!

Mikael
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