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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I read about this symphony in the Penguin Guide, and on the basis of its enthusiastic recommendation bought this very modestly priced version. The symphony was premiered in 1915. It is not at all forward-looking (I would have placed it in the 19th. century had the CD booklet not told me otherwise) but it is a really good, memorable, well-structured work which gives both pleasure and musical satisfaction. Why is it not better known? Perhaps its lack of 'unusualness' has kept in the shadow of the symphonies of Sibelius and Nielsen (with both of whom Stenhammer was on friendly terms), which are certainly more original, but for my money, on purely musical grounds, Stenhammer in this work can stand comparison, certainly with Nielsen and with the earlier symphonies of Sibelius. He had an ear for memorable melody, the symphony is strongly constructed, and it is well orchestrated. It is, in fact, thoroughly enjoyable. I have not heard any rival version on CD, but this sounds pretty good to me, and the Penguin Guide was happy to give it three stars. The Overture is an attractive bonus. It's a fine CD and a rewarding find.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
If Brilliant Classics get around to reissuing Neeme Jarvi's Stenhammar recordings (Bis/DG) at bargain price then this Naxos alternative may still be able to hold its head above water. The initial impression is that this has less impact, less vitality than the Jarvi, whose Bis recordings are more excitingly engineered. On the plus side, the Naxos production is easier on the ear and Sundkvist setting more flowing, less headlong tempos, enables one to really hear the music. Not just be stoked by the intros!
Maybe the true competitor to Neeme is his son, Paavo Jarvi (Virgin), but I haven't heard that version. The Naxos version is the best price, a good sound and a committed performance from the Royal Scottish National. It's a studio rather than live production, which may also be preferred.
Maybe the true competitor to Neeme is his son, Paavo Jarvi (Virgin), but I haven't heard that version. The Naxos version is the best price, a good sound and a committed performance from the Royal Scottish National. It's a studio rather than live production, which may also be preferred.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
1 review
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
A pleasant surprise
19 Mar 2003
Format:Audio CD
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.
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