Lars-Erik Larsson - Orchestral Works, Vol. 2 (Andrew Manze)

Information

Composer: Lars-Erik Larsson

• Symphony No. 2 in E Minor, Op. 17
• Variations for Orchestra, Op. 50
• Barococo Suite, Op. 64

Helsingborg Symphony Orchestra

Andrew Manze, conductor

Date: 2015

Label: CPO

https://www.jpc.de/jpcng/cpo/detail/-/art/lars-erik-larsson-orchesterwerke-vol-2/hnum/3550950

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Review

If Larsson’s First Symphony (A/14) is something of a mash-up of different styles and influences, then its successor from 1936-37 is again rather derivative, owing much to early Sibelius (whose influence dominated the First’s finale) and Tchaikovsky, though there are splashes of Nielsen in a slow movement marred by less than elevated writing in its contrasting central episode. Nonetheless, the Second Symphony’s expressive world is of a more dramatic turn, the structure a little tighter but still allowing room for expansiveness.

The Variations for Orchestra (1962) is a far finer achievement, in the composer’s later, tauter but still appealing language, a convincingly symphonic edifice built from the 12-note theme. Reminiscences of Sibelius still recur – not least of Tapiola late on – but this is more consistently Larsson than the earlier symphonies. There are opportunities aplenty for orchestral solos and ensemble writing, so the title could have been ‘Symphonic Variations’ or even ‘Concerto for Orchestra’! Here particularly the players of the Helsingborg Symphony Orchestra are put on their collective mettle and, under Andrew Manze’s firm and clear direction, they shine.

The Barococo suite (1973) was one of Larsson’s last published works and is the most relaxed music here. Indeed, at times too relaxed, the pastiche of much of the invention (a mix of Strauss and early Shostakovich film and ballet music, among other things) tumbling into the trivial, as in the concluding Quadrille-Galopp. There are some barely disguised parodies, too. Splendid sound once again from CPO, in the warm acoustic of Helsingborg’s Konserthuset.

-- Guy Rickards, Gramophone

More reviews:
https://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2015/Dec/Larsson_sy2_7776722.htm

https://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2016/Jan/Larsson_sy2_7776722.htm

https://www.amazon.com/Larsson-Orchestral-Works-Vol-2/dp/B014EM31J6

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lars-Erik Larsson (15 May 1908 – 27 December 1986) was a Swedish composer. Larsson studied with Ellberg at the Stockholm Conservatory, and with Alban Berg and Fritz Reuter in Vienna and Leipzig. He then worked for Swedish Radio and taught at the Stockholm Conservatory and Uppsala University. His style as a composer is eclectic, ranging from the late Romantic to techniques derived from Arnold Schoenberg's twelve-note system. Larsson wrote for the theatre, cinema and broadcasting, in addition to the more traditional forms of symphony, concerto, chamber and vocal music.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lars-Erik_Larsson

***

Andrew Manze (born 14 January 1965 in Beckenham, United Kingdom) is an English conductor and violinist. Manze studied violin and worked with Ton Koopman. He began his musical career as a specialist in Early Music, and has recorded commercially as a soloist. From 2003 to 2007, he was artistic director of The English Concert. Outside of the UK, Manze was principal conductor and artistic director of the Helsingborg Symphony Orchestra (2006-14), and has been principal conductor of the NDR Radiophilharmonie since 2014. He has recorded for harmonia mundi, Hyperion, cpo, Onyx and PentaTone.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Manze
https://andrewmanze.com/

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

FLAC, tracks

Links in comment

Enjoy!