While the CPO cycle of Pettersson Symphonies has positively rushed onto the
scene and is now almost complete. The BIS cycle has progressed at a steadier
more Petterssonian pace.
Symphony No 8
This has been previously recorded first, by pioneer conductor Sergiu Comissiona
on a Polar/DG LP (never reissued) and then on CPO. It was premiered in Baltimore
in October 1977 and the Baltimore orchestra recorded the LP.
Pettersson's Bach-like chorales are a trademark of his: a fingerprint. They
are prominent in the eighth symphony. A long calmly confident line expands
freely and stretches its wings across the massive framework of this two-part
(20 mins + 26 mins - separately tracked) symphony. Disquieting shudders squeal
and chatter. The climaxing long lines (4:46) remind me of Rubbra's symphonic
writing. Pettersson is a strongly lyrical composer and it is that lyricism
(close to Vaughan Williams and even Hovhaness sometimes!) which predominates.
Little surges, shudders and currents disturb the calm, opening casements
onto nightmare scenes. Segerstam keeps the action fluid and defies the temptation
to sink into meandering. The second section is two minutes longer than the
10th symphony. There is a higher conflict quotient here. This movement is
also the most difficult to come to terms with by comparison with the
unendliche melodie of the first. The symphony ends in character with
the raw eldritch lyricism of the closing of the seventh symphony although
the theme is not as distinguished as that in the seventh. The symphony fades
down the gentlest of gradients to a niente close.
Symphony No 10
This too has been previously recorded - most recently on CPO with the Hannover
Radio SO and Alun Francis. The Segerstam is a minute and a half quicker and
you feel this invigorating acceleration in the first 10 minutes of the symphony
where Segerstam keeps pressing forward almost impatiently. Strangely I soon
began to wonder about Segerstam's approach and now lean in favour of the
Francis on CPO. Frankly though, either will satisfy and neither strikes me
subjectively as a distortion or unrepresentative. The booklet cautiously
recounts a possibly apocryphal story that sections of this symphony were
written out on bandages and dressings which became part of Pettersson's daily
life from the fifth symphony onwards as arthritis took its appalling toll.
From 18:29 the great chorale arrives lifted and bludgeoned by chattering
and violence and it is the violence which triumphs. This is a work of hectoring
gestures.
Stig Jacobsson's notes (English, German and French) are excellent giving
useful solid factual details and blessedly non-existent in describing musical
technicalities.
I wonder how Bis are planning to handle the remainder of the cycle. They
really ought to beat everyone else to it and record the surviving fragments
of numbers 1 and 17. Are either able to be completed by Segerstam who is
of course a composer as well? Also will they re-record No 5 previously recorded
in a version conducted by Moshe Atzmon and the Malmö SO?
A fine addition to the Pettersson discography balancing a short symphony
with one of Pettersson's more monumental scores. I can hardly wait for Segerstam
to tackle No 9. Please Bis record that one next coupled with either 1 or
17.
Reviewer
Robert Barnett
Norrkoping SO/Leif Segerstam 
