Petersen: Symphony No. 3 in C-Sharp Minor, Op. 30

Featuring

Constantin Trinks
hr-Sinfonieorchester
Wilhelm Petersen

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Recording & Production

This recording is the first-ever of Wilhelm Petersen's Third Symphony in C sharp minor.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Petersen believed music should express the 'whole of human nature,' including the struggle with dark powers and the striving for shared human values, rather than just subjective feelings.

Composition History

Petersen's First Symphony in C minor, Op. 3, premiered to great acclaim at the Composers' Festival of the Allgemeiner Deutscher Musikverein in 1921, but he couldn't afford to have it published.

Historical Context

Petersen's contacts with the Anthroposophical community led to Gestapo interrogations and attempts to prevent performances of his Grosse Messe, though he was not directly persecuted by the regime.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Petersen considered Anton Bruckner his great role model, admiring the depth of expression and the 'religious awe' in Bruckner's symphonic works.

Critical Reception

Wilhelm Petersen faced criticism during his lifetime for not composing 'with the times,' but received late recognition from conductor Bruno Walter in 1952.

Composer Biography

Wilhelm Petersen (1890-1957) initially pursued literary ambitions, publishing a volume of poetry in 1907, and was part of Stefan George's circle in Munich before turning to music.