Kurt Atterberg, a Swedish composer, was largely self-taught despite studying composition and instrumentation at the Royal Swedish Academy of Music.
Compositional Technique
Atterberg's Eighth Symphony, composed on Swedish National Melodies, uses folk tunes from various regions of Sweden, exploring their character through symphonic processes.
Performer Biography
The Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, founded in 1905, was appointed The National Orchestra of Sweden in 1997 and has toured extensively in the USA, Japan, and the Far East.
Composer Biography
Kurt Atterberg worked for 56 years at the National Patent and Registration Office, retiring in 1968, a year after his Second Symphony received its first recording.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Kurt Atterberg described himself as a 'classical romantic' because his works adhere to classical forms but are filled with harmonies and melodies inspired by Swedish folk music.
Critical Reception
Jean Sibelius, a famous Finnish composer, sent Atterberg a telegram praising his Eighth Symphony, stating, "Thank you for your wonderfully cogent symphony."
Performer Biography
Neeme Järvi, the conductor on this album, is a highly respected maestro who has recorded over 450 albums, including complete symphony cycles of Prokofiev, Sibelius, Nielsen, and Brahms.
