Lars-Erik LARSSON (1908-1986)
Symphony No. 2 in E minor, Op. 17 (1937) [34:17]
Variations for Orchestra, Op. 50 (1962) [17:58]
Barococo - Suite for Orchestra, Op. 64 (1973) [17:31]
Helsingborg Symphony Orchestra/Andrew Manze
rec. 4-8 April 2011, Konserthuset, Helsingborg, Sweden
Reviewed as a 16-bit download from eClassical
Pdf booklet enclosed
CPO 777672-2 SACD [69:53]
Along with the music of Alfredo Casella I count that of
Lars-Erik Larsson among my most significant ‘finds’ of recent
years. BIS set the standard with a number of fine recordings, several of which
have been favourably reviewed on these pages. Now it’s CPO’s turn,
with a new series devoted to the composer’s orchestral music. The first
volume, also with Andrew Manze and the Helsingborg Symphony Orchestra, was
such a revelation that I simply had to make it a Recording of the Year
(review).
As much of a discovery was the fact that this British-born conductor, usually
associated with baroque and classical repertoire, was just as adept at modern
and contemporary works; his recent recording of pieces by Thomas Adès is ample
proof of that (review).
As for Larsson's symphonies – he only wrote three – my comparative
versions of Nos. 1 and 2 are by Hans-Peter Frank and the Helsingborg band;
that album dates from 1988/89 (BIS-426). CPO have chosen to separate these
two works, throwing in very decent fillers for good measure. Indeed, if the
experience of Volume 1 is repeated here these pint-sized pieces should be
just as enticiing as the quart-sized one. The recording promises to be excellent,
too.
Larsson’s Second Symphony, written in 1937, divided critical opinion
in Sweden to such an extent that the composer decided to withdraw the piece
after its première. Unusually, he reworked the final movement into a separate
work called Ostinato, which he introduce at the ISCM Festival in
Warsaw two years later; the symphony had to wait for a radio broadcast in
1973 before it could be reassessed and rehabilitated. Set in three movements
Larsson's Op. 17 has a neo-classical feel, albeit with a thread of irreverence
that one would be hard-pressed to find in, say, Paul Hindemith’s works
of the period.
It’s that lovable urchin quality, all tousled hair and scraped knees,
that makes Frank’s account of this symphony so enjoyable. He gives the
opening Allegro con moto a bounce and brio that the reined-in Manze
can’t match. Also, Frank’s delicious pizzicati and tramping
rhythms are more clearly articulated than Manze's. Not only that, his punctuating
brass and ongoing asides – we seem to be eavedropping on a conversation
here – have added impact when they’re framed with such wit and
warmth. CPO’s recording is very refined and nicely detailed, whereas
the BIS one is rather bright; that said, when it comes to joie de vivre
Frank gets my vote every time.
Honours are more evenly divided in the Andante, but again it’s
Frank who infuses the music with greater animation and interest. The sonorities
in this central movement may hint at Hindemith, but there’s an underlying
lyricism here that’s most endearing. Manze is alive to that, but he
tones down the wild March-Scherzo that erupts at 5:01; it’s almost as
if he's not quite sure what to do with it. In any event I much prefer
Frank’s invigorating and unabashed way with this tangential tune. Oh
dear, I seem to be focusing on the earlier recording at the expense of the
later one; then again I do like the fact that Frank lives more dangerously
than Manze does. That said, both conductors give pithy accounts of the Nielsenesque
Moderato – Prestissimo.
As Christoph Schlüren points out in his extremely detailed liner-notes Larsson
lacked confidence is his ability as a symphonist; indeed, he withdrew all
three of his symphonies after their initial performances. Listening to Manze’s
account of the First and Frank’s of the Second it’s hard to believe
that the composer had so little faith in these very accomplished works. Happily
he was less pernickety about his other orchestral pieces; just as pleasing
is the fact that Manze lavishes as much care and attention on these than he
does on the symphonies. One only has to sample them to realise how well crafted
and rewarding they are.
The Variations for Orchestra encapsulates what Schlüren calls ‘the
free 12-note style of Larsson’s maturity’. The key word here is
‘free’, for although the piece has a certain rigour it’s
not without moments of skittish humour. These Swedish players are certainly
adept when it comes to digging out fine detail; the exposed string figures
are especially well executed and those brass interjections are as piquant
as one could wish. In fact Larsson’s Variations has a clear,
unambiguous narrative that belies the work’s structural preoccupations.
Manze ensures that everyone is ‘on message’ at all times; as for
the recording it draws out all the score’s nuances and distinctive timbres.
The wittily titled Barococo suite finds the composer at his genial.
eye-twinkling best. Ditto the conductor, who brings a gentle charm and elegance
to the mix; that’s mirrored by playing of exceptional plaiancy and character.
In short, this is joyous music-making; indeed, the concluding quadrille and
galop – complete with its catchy rhythms and a raffish side-drum –
sounds just like a fizzy overture by Offenbach. It’s all great fun,
and one senses that everyone is having a jolly good time. Not surprisingly
I revisited Barococo several times during the course of this review,
admiring it more each time around.
I might well prefer Frank’s ebullience and energy in the symphony, but
it’s the beautifully worked fillers that tip the balance in Manze’s
favour. These new performances are helped in no small measure by CPO’s
sensitive engineering. I auditioned both the 16-bit download and the SACD,
and while the latter sounds wonderfully natural and airy the former isn’t
far behind. Schlüren’s liner-notes, which include timed cues and a wealth
of biographical detail, are a welcome bonus.
Hans-Peter Frank may have the edge in the symphony, but Manze has the advantage
of two gorgeous fillers; the CPO sound is excellent.
Dan Morgan
twitter.com/mahlerei
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