Stenhammar was often torn between his extraordinary artistic talent and an extremely destructive self-criticism, which strongly manifested in his relationship with the piano.
Composer Biography
Despite his success as a composer, Stenhammar rarely performed his own solo piano works in recitals, focusing instead on Viennese classics.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Stenhammar's "Nights of Late Summer" reflects his neurotic nature and was composed during a period of artistic crisis and lack of self-confidence in his early thirties.
Composer Biography
Wilhelm Stenhammar, a Swedish composer, was largely self-taught, similar to Elgar, and created some of the most important music to come out of Sweden.
Performer Biography
Martin Sturfält, the pianist on this album, is also an editor of new editions of previously unpublished works by Wilhelm Stenhammar, including the Piano Sonata in G minor.
Composition History
Stenhammar's First Piano Concerto was so successful that it led to him performing it with conductors like Richard Strauss (Berlin Philharmonic) and Hans Richter (Hallé Orchestra).
