jmc's classics
.There are many obscure composers that are worth listening t and are tragically overlooked. One such composer is Norwegian Johan Svendsen (1840-1911). He is eclipsed by His fellow countrymen and contemporary Edward Grieg. Like Czech composer Bedrich Smetna who is eclipsed by fellow Czech composer Antonin Dvorak. I am a fan of Dvorak's as well as Grieg's. I am not as familiar with Smetna's music.
Svendsen was born in Christina ( now known as Oslo) Norway which was then the part of Sweden. His father was a band leader. He studied in Leipzig, Germany. He was married twice. His first wife was American. His son from his second marriage Eyvind Johan Svendsen (1896-1946) was a famous Danish actor. Svendsen spent most of his adult life in Denmark. He was also a conductor and violinist. He was friends with Richard Wagner. His most famous work is his Romance for violin and Orchestra (Opus #26). he also wrote a Violin concerto (Opus #6) and A Cello concerto (Opus#7) He wrote two symphonies (Opuses 4 & 15) As I write this I am listening to the second symphony. He wrote some chamber music one String Quartet (Opus#1) a quintet (Opus#50 an Octet (Opus#3). I take the Copy of the Svendsen Symphonies and my CD of Strauss Don Quixote with me on long trips. The CD of The Swendsen Syphnonies that I have is the Oslo Philharmonic with Mariss Jansons. I wiould recomned this CD. He wrote a Third Sympohony which his first wife destroyed the only copy which he had. Which is an urban legend. In recent years some sketches have been found by conductor Bjart Engest which might be from his Third Symphony. I enjoy his symphonies and his concertos for violin and cello. Unfortunately on Arkivmusic.com, I only see one or two versions of each available. I have seen some good versions on Youtbe of each work. His music is popular in his native Norway. I hope that his music becomes more popular in America in the near future.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Archives
November 2023
Categories |