DAG WIRÉN Symphony No. 3, Op. 20, Sinfonietta in C, Op. 7a

[guest377]

Some new items this month (March 2018):

DAG WIRÉN (1905-1986): Symphony No. 3, Op. 20, Sinfonietta in C, Op. 7a, Serenade for Strings, Op. 11, Divertimento, Op. 29.

Label: Chandos


Description: The popularity of the lovely, sunny 1937 Serenade makes this Swedish composer look like a “one-hit wonder,” as few of his other works have ever had more than one or two recordings, so releases like this need to be welcomed when they come along. Full of charm and unpretentiousness, the symphony dates from 1944 and, unlike events going on outside Sweden at the time, is remarkably carefree, full of a healthy vigor and bubbling over with vitality. With time Wirén became darker and sparer and his 1957 Divertimento is a sequence of four serious and laconic meditations with a Sibelian feel. For lovers of the Serenade, though, the slightly earlier Sinfonietta should be just as inviting as, on a slightly larger scale, it has the same positive energy but with an added dash of the pugnacious humor abroad in musical Paris at the time Wirén was studying and writing it there (1933-34). Iceland Symphony Orchestra; Rumon Gamba.

[Dundonnell]

It is interesting that Chandos has chosen to record the Dag Wiren symphonies but personally I am likely to stick with the CPO set conducted by Thomas Dausgaard I already possess.

I am afraid the same situation arose with the Chandos set of the Atterberg symphonies conducted by Neeme Jarvi. The CPO cycle conducted by Ari Rasilainen will continue to satisfy me.

There are of course a number of Swedish composers of symphonies who merit a complete recorded cycle but do not have this at present: Hilding Rosenberg, Erland von Koch, Hans Eklund, John Fernstrom. CPO are supposedly embarked on a Kallstenius cycle but only one symphony has been issued to date and who knows how long it will be before the rest appear?

[Vandermolen]

Holding Rosenberg, in particular, deserves a complete cycle of his symphonies. Of those I know, 2,3,4 and 6 are especially powerful and often inspiriting works. I enjoyed the new Chandos Wiren release, especially Symphony 3, even though I have the CPO releases as well. I never agreed with Robert Layton's observation that Wiren's symphonies are 'short-breathed'.

[Dundonnell]

Could I just say how delightful it is to have you here, Jeffrey, and how very welcome your posts.

I understand the circumstances in respect of GMG and it is perhaps asking too much of you to "stick around" on what is, admittedly, a much quieter forum but we are a very nice lot here and I personally would be very happy to continue our long-standing dialogue with an old friend with such similar tastes to my own :)

[Vandermolen]

Could I just say how delightful it is to have you here, Jeffrey, and how very welcome your posts.

I understand the circumstances in respect of GMG and it is perhaps asking too much of you to "stick around" on what is, admittedly, a much quieter forum but we are a very nice lot here and I personally would be very happy to continue our long-standing dialogue with an old friend with such similar tastes to my own :)

Thank you Colin, for the characteristically warm and thoughtful welcome. Your presence here will be a good incentive for me to 'stick around' and, anyway, it would be disingenuous of me to make a rare 'guest appearance' due to the GMG change of server issue and then disappear when it is up and running again. Good to find cigwyn here as well!

Back to Wiren - Symphony 4 is my favourite but I also enjoy 2 and 3 very much as well.
 :)