By jleonard
01-Oct-2011

Splendid Works  

Pettersson's music is highly distinctive. His symphonies are typically long single-movement works which sound like enormous toccatas or chorale preludes. They consist of sections of music bound together by constant musical movement and mood. The fifth symphony has a yearning and striving mood, varied with scherzo-like sections. It is optimistic and life-affirming.

Pettersson's Concertos sound like his symphonies with a solo instrument over the top! The Viola Concerto is a late work with a rather anguished tone, mirrored by the complex polyphony and textures of the music. In the end it too is a hopeful work.

Both works are highly recommended, and these are fine recordings.
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