Classical Music Forum banner

SS 26.05.18 - Langgaard #1

2K views 16 replies 12 participants last post by  realdealblues 
#1 ·
A continuation of the Saturday Symphonies Tradition:

Welcome to another weekend of symphonic listening!

For your listening pleasure this weekend:

Rued Langgaard (1893 - 1952)

Symphony No. 1 "Klippepastoraler" (Mountain Pastorals)

I. Braendinger og Solglimt (Surf and Glimpses of Sun): Maestoso
II. Fjeldblomster (Mountain Flowers): Lento
III. Sagn (Legend): Lento
IV. Opad Fjeldet (Mountain Ascent): Marcato - Andante e con espressione - Tempo I
V. Livsmod (Courage): Maestoso allargando

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

Post what recording you are going to listen to giving details of Orchestra / Conductor / Chorus / Soloists etc - Enjoy!
 
See less See more
#9 · (Edited)
Langgaard is the sort of composer I really ought to like, but as with Havergal Brian last week, I cannot get into him. I find he rambles something rotten, even -oddly enough especially - in his shorter symphonies. I prefer those which do seem to have some sort of disciplined structure, including this, indeed a very fine effort from an obviously talented youngster. I'll listen to the DaCapo recording under Dausgard.

For me his best music is in the weird static ethereal Music of the Spheres. Overall, however, I get more from the seven symphonies of his near contemporary Asger Hamerik, also Louis Glass among non-genius Danish composer, both albeit slightly earlier.
 
#11 ·
I hadn't yet gotten around to checking out Langgaard's music, so I used this as an excuse to get started. I bought the Dausgaard recording. This symphony is quite an impressive effort considering how young the composer was at the time. It is massive and has some wonderful moments, although it is a bit rough around the edges. It is good enough to give me a positive impression of this composer and make me want to hear more of his music.
 
#12 ·
Listened to the Dausgaard recording on YouTube. Langgaard gets MAJOR points for ambition! An astonishing effort from a teenager. And it pretty much kept my attention through its hourlong running time.

That said, it suffers from the same problem (to my ears) as a lot of late-romantic symphonies: weak melodic content. I can’t whistle any of the tunes because I can’t remember them! But his mix of Wagner, Richard Strauss, Mahler, and Bruckner is delivered with impressive aplomb.

This is a work that I’ll happily hear again, and would be happy to buy a ticket to a concert where it was performed (fat chance of that, of course). Right now, and pending future hearings, I’ll rate it as a significant new addition to my personal listening repertoire.
 
#15 ·
Listened to the Dausgaard recording on YouTube. Langgaard gets MAJOR points for ambition! An astonishing effort from a teenager. And it pretty much kept my attention through its hourlong running time.

That said, it suffers from the same problem (to my ears) as a lot of late-romantic symphonies: weak melodic content. I can't whistle any of the tunes because I can't remember them! But his mix of Wagner, Richard Strauss, Mahler, and Bruckner is delivered with impressive aplomb.

This is a work that I'll happily hear again, and would be happy to buy a ticket to a concert where it was performed (fat chance of that, of course). Right now, and pending future hearings, I'll rate it as a significant new addition to my personal listening repertoire.
I think this is a good summary of my thoughts about this work.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top