Search - John Fernstrom, Lan Shui, Malmö Symphony Orchestra :: John Fernström: Songs of the Sea; Symphony No. 12; Rao-Nai-Nai's Songs

Magnificent soprano in lovely addition to recorded music

Per Bäckström | Stockholm, Sweden | 03/01/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Late Swedish composer John Fernström has been neglected for a long time but is now emerging as one of the most entertaining classical composers from the middle of last century.This new CD contain three works, played by Malmö Symphony Orchestra conducted by Lan Shui. The CD starts with Songs of the Sea, four songs composed for Fernström's future wife, set to English poems about the sea. They are wonderful, sprightly music, reminding me a little about Britten, for example Les Illuminations. The soloist is Swedish soprano Miah Persson, one of the most promising young Swedish singers. She has sung some baroque, including one CD in the series of Bach cantatas recorded by BIS under Masaako Suzuki. But she is just as good and more to my liking in newer repertoire. The songs let Miah use her good coloratura and shimmering top notes. She has a very good pronounciation which makes it possible to understand the poems without reading the text.I have played the CD almost a dozen times now, and it makes me more and more happy.Also on the CD is Symphony nr 12 and Rao-Nai-Nais Songs, both by Fernström and worthwhile music. Rao-Nai-Nais Songs are purely orchestral pieces, based on songs Rao-Nai-Nai, who was Fernström's nurse when he lived in China as a child. The music has an undeniable Chinese flavour, at least in my ears.This CD should be of interest both for those interested in Swedish singers and for people who enjoy other Swedish composers such as Lars-Erik Larsson and Dag Wiren."