Mikael Rasmusson <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>This is the very first biography on the Swedish composer TURE RANGSTROEM
>(1884-1947). His songs and his symphonies have been recorded rather
>frequently for the last 20 years, so it is surprising that we had to wait
>that long for a biography.
The Gods shall know I have waited for it! Thanks for reporting it Mister
Rasmusson! I first got to hear Helmer, who by the way is the right man to
write on Rangstroem, planned a study on Rangstroem, however this might have
grown out to the biography.
>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).
>First, some negative criticism: Rangstroem's character is analysed in
>some detail, but at times I think the author is judging R:s actions from
>a moral point of view. It seems like R. was aware of his weaknesses, but
>he couldn't resist his inner driving force.
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!
>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 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.
>but unfortunately no discography.
I don't know for sure what have found its way onto CD, but for grammophone,
I can provide the following discography:
Symphony Nr.1 DEC LXT 2665
Divertimento Elegaico SWS LT 33149
Sub umbra: The Night HMV SCLP 1032
Fiddlars Spring HMV SCLP 1053
Maelarlegender RCA LSC 3119
Stringquartett G minor SWS SLT 33225
Songs HMV FALP 568
King Eriks Songs SWS LT 33149
You and me - melody OD MOAK 1002
Songs HMV EBS 18
Songs DEC SXL 6185
Tristans Death RCA HR 224 & SWS SLT 33218
The Wind and the Tree HMV SCLP 1057
Songs SWS SLT 33171
King Eriks Songs FABO SLP 33106
Songs EMIdisc 4E 048-50465
Her Words RIKS EP 8 & HMV 4E 061-37488
King Eriks Songs HMV 4E 155-35211
Songs HMV 061-31149
Songs SWS SLT 33234
On CD there are some I especially want to recommend:
Complete Symphonies: Norrkoeping SO/Jurowskij on CPO
Songs: Svenden/Hagegaard on Musica Sveciae
Really great stuff!
>I really hope that this book will be translated in the future.
I hope so too!
James Zehm <[log in to unmask]>
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