Message #15420

[Dundonnell]

Thanks to Mathias for the upload of the Fromm-Michaels Symphony :)

He says that it is "a very complex piece, no easy-listening". This may be true but should not put anyone off. The symphony is still very much in the received tradition of serious German symphonism and there is a determined solemnity about it which I find much appealing. Given the circumstances of its composition in 1938 when the composer can have had no hopes of it ever being performed the symphony is actually hugely impressive.

It is at least gratifying to see that the Symphony was given its first performance as early as 28 June 1946 in Hamburg by the North German Radio Symphony Orchestra under Hans Schmidt-Isserstedt-and what a fine conductor he was :)