Stenhammar: Symphony No. 2; Excelsior!

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Stenhammar was a great Swedish composer active at the turn of the century, and his output for orchestra was small but of very high quality. This symphony and the Serenade are his orchestral masterpieces. Like his colleagues Nielsen and Sibelius, Stenhammar's music has a neoclassical cast to it--the idiom is basically conservative, but fortified by the healthy influence of folk song and ethnic dance rhythms. If you enjoy Brahms, you'll have no problem with this symphony--it really is a masterpiece of tight thematic workmanship. The tunes are quite good as well. This budget-priced recording offers the best possible way to make the acquaintance of a very worthy composer. --David Hurwitz

Tracks:

I. Tempo Molto Tranquillo-Allegro
II. Andante Con Moto
III. Allegro Amabile
IV. Allegro Non Tanto, Ma Con Fuoco-Tranquillo
I. Elgy (Intro To Act I). Lento
II. Intermezzo. Allegro Agitato
III. Karneval. Tempo Di Valse Moderato-Tempo Di Marcia Vivace
Molto Adagio, Solenne

Tracks:

I. Allegro Energico
II. Andante
III. Scherzo. Allegro, Ma Non Troppo Presto
IV. Finale. Sostenuto-Allegro Vivace
'O Blessed Day'. Molto Sostenuto-Allegro
Andante Sostenuto-Andante Moderato-Andante Sostenuto - Paavo Jarvi
No.1 In A Major. Andantino - Paavo Jarvi
No. 2 In F Minor. Allegro Patetico - Paavo Jarvi

Tracks:

I. Molto Moderato E Maestoso - Paavo Jarvi
II. Vivacissimo - Paavo Jarvi
III. Andante - Paavo Jarvi
IV. Allegro Commodo - Paavo Jarvi
I. Intro
II. Scherzo
III. Adagio
IV. Finale

Tracks:

Excelsior!
Snofrid
Overtura.Allegrissimo
Reverenza. Tempo Di Menuetto, Tranquillo E Grazioso
Canzonetta. Tempo Di Valse, Un Poco Tranquillo
Scherzo. Presto
Notturno. Andante Sostenuto
Finale. Tempo Moderato

Customer Reviews:

MOST STENHAMMAR FOR THE DOLLAR.......2003-06-25

I should write a terrible review because on re-listening to Symphony No. 1 in F, I don't really want to part with this fabulous Swede. I have three music sources that praise his symphonies and concertos. Neeme and Paavo Jarvi are conductors I buy. Cristina Ortiz is a very credible Cristina in Piano Concerto No. 2. Reviewers only think of him as influenced by other composers. He has his own musical strengths. There are many smaller CD sets available, but this is a buy. Sure there wasn't much movement in the movements. 1. tempo tranquillo-allergro was pretty much like 4. allegro non tanto, ma con fuoco tranquillo. Allegro Amabile might as well have been called Allegro Amiable. It was all rather soothing and reassuring.

Essential Stenhammar.......2000-03-03

These CDs are Järvi's second recordings of most of the orchestral music of Stenhammar. And they are marginally better than the earlier performances. Stenhammar is unjustly neglected outside Sweden and that's a shame. He's a major composer, perhaps the best ever from Sweden. One can hear his style evolve if one hears the music in chronological order, moving from Brucknerian, to Sibelian, to Stenhammarian in a period of a few years. I pull these recordings off the shelf frequently. You will, too.

Stenhammar: Symphonies/Serenade/Excelsior Overture

Average customer rating:

More Superlatives, Please!!!
Wonderfully performed repertoire with a Brucknerian flavour
A great survey of Sweden's best known composer
BETTER STENHAMMAR TO BE HAD

Stenhammar: Symphonies/Serenade/Excelsior Overture

Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
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Eric Whitacre: Cloudburst and other choral works

ASIN: B000001GP5
Release Date: 1996-02-13

Tracks:

Symphonic Overture Op. 13: Excelsior!
Symphony No. 1 In F Major: 1. Tempo molto tranquillo - Allegro
Symphony No. 1 In F Major: 2. Andante con moto
Symphony No. 1 In F Major: 3. Allegro amabile
Symphony No. 1 In F Major: 4. Allegro non tanto, ma con fuoco - Tranquillo

Tracks:

Serenade In F Major, Op. 31: 1. Overtura: Allegrissimo
Serenade In F Major, Op. 31: 2. Canzonetta: Tempo di valse, un poco tranquillo - (attacca)
Serenade In F Major, Op. 31: 3. Scherzo: Presto - (attacca)
Serenade In F Major, Op. 31: 4. Notturno: Andante sostenuto
Serenade In F Major, Op. 31: 5. Finale: Tempo moderato
Symphony No. 2 In G Minor, Op. 34: 1. Allegro energico
Symphony No. 2 In G Minor, Op. 34: 2. Andante
Symphony No. 2 In G Minor, Op. 34: 3. Scherzo: Allegro, ma non troppo presto
Symphony No. 2 In G Minor, Op. 34: 4. Finale: Sostenuto - Allegro vivace

Amazon.com

Wilhelm Stenhammar (1871-1927) was a fine Swedish late-Romantic composer whose Serenade in F became a popular item on LP. Here it is again, along with his two Symphonies and a concert overture, in performances by an orchestra he directed for 15 years. This same conductor and orchestra made excellent recordings of these works for the BIS label, which are still highly enjoyable. But these remakes show similar fine sound and more refined, better-executed performances. Either recording will introduce you to a composer who never deserved his neglect. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews:

More Superlatives, Please!!!.......2006-03-09

These works are monumental.
I make it my policy not to mention other reviewers in my reviews, but here I am forced to make an exception.
Amazon top 500 reviewer Melvyn Sobel refers to this music as 'derivitive' and 'uninspired'. In his quest to reach the top of the Amazon review list, I seriously doubt that he has invested the time needed to fully appreciate this music.
Fortunately, I have taken the time and listened many times to multiple recordings of Stenhammars inspired and original works.
An accurate description of this music is that yes, it does bear a resemblance to Bruckner, but I can name a dozen of other great composers where the Brucknerian influence can be acutely felt. The two main differences between Stenhammar and my beloved Bruckner is that the former employs stronger, more memorable thematic and melodic material (NOT weaker, as Mr. Sobel claims), and writes in a more elegant, less brutal vein.
If you commit to buying this CD, please take the time to listen at least several times before forming an opinion. These sprawling, gorgeous, lush symphonies will soon unfold and reveal themselves as worthy of standing side by side with the great works in the symphonic literature.
Can you live without these symphonies in your collection?
Don't risk it, if you value your soul.
Enjoy!

Wonderfully performed repertoire with a Brucknerian flavour.......2004-09-20

Jarvi and the Goteborgs Symfoniker give a committed and stirring account of all four pieces here. The recording is well done, no complaints about the sound.
The music of Stenhammar is not given the recognition it deserves - these are all strong works, well worth hearing. Especially if you love the symphonies of Bruckner, Stenhammar's two will certainly satisfy.
Whole heartedly recommeded to all lovers of late romantic symphonies.

A great survey of Sweden's best known composer.......2001-07-28

A contemporary of Sibelius and Nielsen, Stenhammar, however, speaks a distinctly different language from either of his fellow Scandianvians'. (In fact, Sibelius and Nielsen are so different that anything derived from both would be absurd.) In this survey of his major orchestral works, one finds that the 1st symphony is a pleasant work but only superficially resembles Bruckner's, the supposedly more popular serenade is lengthy and unimpressive, the magnificent 2nd symphony, echoing mediaeval Swedish folk tunes, bears a more mature style and embarks on the greatness.

In a Naxos CD, the RSNO certain did the 2nd symphony an injustice and left me with an unfavorable impression. While it is nowhere close to Sibelius' 2nd, it's nevertheless a very enjoyable work. The GSO's sound is much richer and fuller-blooded. This orchestra certainly has its first principle conductor in blood, and Jarvi is undoubtedly the best heir and promoter of its excellent tradition.

BETTER STENHAMMAR TO BE HAD.......2000-12-12

For me the Stenhammar Symphonies are not altogether convincing; I find much that is derivative---e.g. Sibelius and Nielsen, sans the inspiration. There is a general lack of memorable material, thematic or otherwise, and length, too often, is substituted for substance.

This is not the case, however, with his Serenade in F, Op. 31, the very jewel of Stenhammar's orchestral output, bar none, and a symphonic work that will stand the test of time (that cruel harbinger!). Unfortunately, in this particular recording, unlike his performance on BIS (strongly recommended), Jarvi excludes the absolutely gorgeous "Reverenza" movement from the Serenade. Why he did this, I haven't the faintest idea--- but in so doing, he makes this rendition entirely uncompetitive and incomplete.

The Excelsior! (Symphonic Overture), Op. 13, featuring a lush violin solo, hints boldly at Mendelssohn and Wagner; yet, it is still distinctly uninvolving.

Jarvi conducts the GSO well enough here--- although since this was Stenhammar's own orchestra for fifteen seasons, one might expect a touch more sympathy. He seems to me a tad "detached." As well, the recorded sound itself is not up to full measure: it's thin, wiry, lacking bloom, depth and warmth.

[Running time--- CD 1: 63:43 CD 2: 74:54]

Average customer rating:

A pleasant surprise

Stenhammar: Symphony No. 2; Excelsior!

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Joseph Joachim Raff: Violin Concertos Nos. 1 & 2; Cavatina; Ungrischer (À La Hongroise)
Toshiro Mayuzumi: Mandala Symphony; Bugaku; Symphonic Mood; Rumba Rhapsody
Kurt Atterberg: The Symphonies (Box Set)
Vaughan Williams: The Nine Symphonies

ASIN: B0000014FN
Release Date: 1997-03-18

Tracks:

Sym No.2, Op.34: Allegro Energico
Sym No.2, Op.34: Andante
Sym No.2, Op.34: Scherzo
Sym No.2, Op.34: Finale
Exelsior!, Symphonic Ov, Op.13

Amazon.com

Stenhammar was a great Swedish composer active at the turn of the century, and his output for orchestra was small but of very high quality. This symphony and the Serenade are his orchestral masterpieces. Like his colleagues Nielsen and Sibelius, Stenhammar's music has a neoclassical cast to it--the idiom is basically conservative, but fortified by the healthy influence of folk song and ethnic dance rhythms. If you enjoy Brahms, you'll have no problem with this symphony--it really is a masterpiece of tight thematic workmanship. The tunes are quite good as well. This budget-priced recording offers the best possible way to make the acquaintance of a very worthy composer. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

A pleasant surprise.......2003-03-20

This is not by any means an 'average' piece. Although certainly conservative, Stenhammar's symphony is a perfect bridge between late, nationalistically inspired romanticism, and some things to come. You may hear Brahms, Sibelius, Elgar(!), some of Bruckner, and more than a bit of Grieg here, but most of all it is Stenhammar's own voice that speaks. And it speaks well: this is an likeable and well-crafted piece, played to perfection by Sundkvist's Scots. The Excelsior! overture is an exuberant, if somewhat uneven piece. It is even more reminiscent of high romanticism, but owes more to Wagner than the symphony does, and is decidedly less personal than that work. Still, not at all bad for a 'filler'. The orchestra is attentive and precise throughout, an essential quality for this repertoire - particularly the brass section is excellent.

Stenhammar - Symphony No. 2 · Excelsior ! · Reverenza · 2 Songs / von Otter · Royal Stockholm PO · P. Järvi

Average customer rating:

Stenhammar - Symphony No. 2 · Excelsior ! · Reverenza · 2 Songs / von Otter · Royal Stockholm PO · P. Järvi
Wilhelm Stenhammar , Paavo Jarvi , Anne Sofie von Otter , and Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra
Manufacturer: Virgin Records Us
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00000IOCL
Release Date: 1999-05-04

Tracks:

I Allegro Energico
II Andante
III Scherzo. Allegro, Ma Non Troppo Presto
IV Finale. Sostenuto - Allegro Vivace
Reverenza
Flickan Kom Ifran Sin Alsklings Mote - Anne Sofie Von Otter
Flickan Knyter I Johannenatten - Anne Sofie Von Otter
Eine Symfonische Ouverture

Stenhammar: Symphony No2; Excelsior! Op13

Average customer rating:

Great!!

Stenhammar: Symphony No2; Excelsior! Op13

Manufacturer: Bis
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0000016AV
Release Date: 1994-03-15

Tracks:

Excelsior!
Allegro Energico
Andante
Scherzo. Allegro, Ma Non Troppo Presto
Finale. Sostenuto-Allegro Vivace

Customer Reviews:

Great!!.......2004-06-19

I prefer Jarvi's BIS recordings of the Stenhammar works much more than his DG remakes. The symphony is galant and restrained, with lovely melodies and a strong sense of form. The final movement's climax is wonderfully awesome. Excelsior! is a overture more in the Wagnerian style, very difficult (especially for the strings!). The sound quality is excellent, and Jarvi's performances are very good, with lots of forward thrust without unduly rushing. I also like it that you can hear the audience inbetween movements. After all, these are live recordings, after all!

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