jmc's classics
July 23 was the Birthday of Sweedish composer Franz Berwald (1796-1868) He was aa year older than Schubert but outlived him by 41 Years. Schubert was also named Franz. The name Franz is a form of the name Francis. Berwald is not as well known among non classical music fans but he deserves some recognition. When we think of Swedish music ABBA comes to mind. I do like some of their music. Berwald was a fourth generation musical. He was remotely of German origin. He had also worked as an orthopedic surgeon and as a glass blower. Franz Liszt was also impressed by Berwald. Liszt (1811-1886) was of Hungarian origin. I have some CDs of his but I am not familiar with his works. For most people Swedish music begins and ends with ABBA. There are many other excellent Swedish composers. Sweden has also produced some excellent opera singers. The greatest was tenor Juisi Bjorling (1911-1960)
I have found about 39 CDs of Franz Berwald listed on on Arkiv music. He wrote four numbered symphonies. I have Cds of his Second in D major , His Third in C major and his fourth in E flat. the SEcond is in three movements instead of four. It is coupled with his Violin Concerto. This is on the Bongiovanni Label. It has the Orchestra Sinfonica Di Sassari with Roberto Tigani conducting. Bongiovanni is an Italian Label. I am not familiar with this label. The Third and Fourth are on the Deutsche Grammophon Label. It has the Berlin Philharmonic with Igor Markevitch conducting. I also have a Cd of his three string quartets. It features the Yggdrasil Quartet on the BIS label. The Yggdrasil quartet and BIS are based in Sweden. Berwald also wrote a Concerto for two violins. He wrote numerous other works. In adition to his four numbered symphonies, he wrote an un-numbered Symphony in A. I have only seen one CD of this available. I don't know much about it. There is a possibility that it may have only recently been discovered. The music of Berwald needs to be listened to. Like his other contemporaries. I think that if you like Schubert or Liszt you would like Berwald
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