Pettersson's Symphony No. 3 was initially rejected by his former colleagues at the Concert Society, where he had played viola for many years, which was a severe blow to the sensitive composer.
Critical Reception
The Symphony No. 3 is possibly the least-played of Pettersson's extant symphonies, and this recording is its first gramophone recording.
Performer Biography
Leif Segerstam, the conductor, is also a prolific composer, having written 261 string quartets and 61 violin concertos, reflecting his origins as a violinist.
Recording & Production
The Norrköping Symphony Orchestra, featured on this recording, inaugurated the 1991 Linz Bruckner Festival by playing Carl Orff's Carmina Burana to an audience of 100,000 people.
Compositional Technique
Pettersson's Symphony No. 15, unlike his earlier works, demonstrates a resourceful management of material, restricting itself to a few motifs that are varied and constantly rejuvenated.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Allan Pettersson rarely composed works to order unless the commissioner accepted the work he was already creating out of his own inner urges.
Composer Biography
Allan Pettersson, the composer, had a background as a viola player, which is reflected in the prominence of violas in his Symphony No. 15.
