I wrote:

>>Of course I've heard of Rangstroem - I have recordings of all four
>>symphonies, plus many of his songs. ...

James Zehm replies:

>Most probably (if you have them on CD] you have Jurowskijs cycle on CPO,
>and Svendeen/Hagegaard on Musica Sveciae in songs, and then you are a lucky
>devil, because they're cool (I mean they are great).

It is the Svendeen/Hagegaard that I have.

>With Pettersson... it is not a lie that Petterssons later symphonies have
>not the same quality as his middle symphonies - perhaps his illness caused
>he couldn't concentrate?

Well, to each their own.  I see no falling short in #13 or #15.  But I will
be the first to admit that I can not stand #16 - the saxophone is simply
not my taste at all.  But how can you say that he couldn't concentrate?
These are the most *concentrated* symphonies I can think of.

>You are underrating Alfvens symphonies too, actually this music is more
>quirky than one can think: listen to "Midsommarvaka"...many times! Surprise?

I specifically mentioned the symphonies as opposed to the tone poems.  I
have great respect for the "Legend of the Skerries" and "Midsummer Night
Vigil", but after Symphonies 1 and 2, well....the slow movement in the
Symphony #4 has the great misfortune to sound *exactly* like the tune "Be
It Ever So Humble, There's No Place Like Home".  I can't hear it without
bursting into laughter.  Unfortunate coincidence, perhaps, but to American
ears, it sounds pathetic.

Mark
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