Symphony No. 9, Op. 95 (M. 235): v. Andante austero
This is great music. Holmboe isn't only the finest Scandinavian symphonist since Nielsen or Sibelius; his achievement deserves to rank with the best on offer in the 20th century. None of his symphonies are terribly long ... more »or difficult. They are all tonal and based on a firm command of rhythm and melodic counterpoint. What this means in practice is that even where they seem complex or less than tuneful, you always know exactly where you are--the music has a sense of purpose and direction that keeps it moving towards its logical conclusion. These two symphonies illustrate the point perfectly. The music is often so physically exciting that it's over before you're even conscious of time passing. This great series of the complete Holmboe symphonies is one of the best things to happen to the record business in years. --David Hurwitz« less
This is great music. Holmboe isn't only the finest Scandinavian symphonist since Nielsen or Sibelius; his achievement deserves to rank with the best on offer in the 20th century. None of his symphonies are terribly long or difficult. They are all tonal and based on a firm command of rhythm and melodic counterpoint. What this means in practice is that even where they seem complex or less than tuneful, you always know exactly where you are--the music has a sense of purpose and direction that keeps it moving towards its logical conclusion. These two symphonies illustrate the point perfectly. The music is often so physically exciting that it's over before you're even conscious of time passing. This great series of the complete Holmboe symphonies is one of the best things to happen to the record business in years. --David Hurwitz
CD Reviews
One of the great symphonists of the 20th century
Richard A. Cavalla | NJ, USA | 01/09/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"The more I listen to Holmboe's Symphony No. 8, his 'Sinfonia boreale', the more I am convinced it is a masterpiece. It is very classical in its 4 movement structure, though its sound is a mixture of Nordic and Romantic. The first movement is extremely agressive and very busy; the rhythmic drive pushes the movement along at a frantic pace. Just when you are ready for the slow movement, Holmboe opts to place his scherzo second a la Beethoven's 9th or Bruckner's 8th. Built on a soaring, heroic tune in the brass, the second movement is clearer in its orchestration but no less exciting than the first movement. The third movement brings us the Andante and things finally settle down. Look for the beautiful, emotive melody in the strings that is hinted at throughout the movement before blossoming into its full glory near the end. The final movement brings us back to the world of the first with its energy and drive. There is some tympani in this movement that is just amazingly full and loud and threatens to flatten everything in its path. Shades of Nielsen's 'Inextinguishable' symphony (though I honestly prefer the 'Sinfonia boreale' to the 'Inextinguishable').
The 9th symphony is not as successful as the 8th in my opinion. Its structure is three substantial symphonic movements each separated from the others by a pianissimo movement for strings. Things start off well with an Allegro fluente that is not restrained but certainly not of the intensity of the 8th Symphony (nothing in the 9th is). Then comes the first Quieto movement for strings. At four minutes, without much development or melodic invention, this movement verges on the cusp of inaudability and is the low point of the symphony. We then move into an Allegro con fuoco that is not as fast as its name would imply but is still very interesting. The fourth movement, the second of the Quieto movements for strings, is considerably better than the former. It is about the same length, but is more melodic and shows off Holmboe's trademark sublime and often touching writing for strings. The final movement, an Andante austero, this time faster than its name would imply, is probably my favorite movement. The theme that brings the symphony to a close is particularly powerful.
Recording quality is high as is usually the case with BIS. The Aarhus SO are a provincial orchestra but a very good one with a clear affinity for Holmboe's music (they premiered Holmboe's 1st Symphony back in 1938). While I have a few concerns about conductor Hughes' tempo choices in 9/iii and 9/v, his performance is still very admirable. How a Welsh conductor could have such a feel for a Danish composer, and a sadly little known one at that, is truly remarkable.
Recommended."
Best of the Set?
Richard A. Cavalla | 12/25/1998
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is perhaps the best of the set of Holmboe's symphony cycle on BIS and a wise entry point to anyone with the least doubt about his work. If you hear this, you will opt for anything from Holmboe on BIS you can get. The recording is exemplary. Recommended without reservation."
Holmboe's symphonies are tremendous!
Richard A. Cavalla | 12/25/1998
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Certainly, this is the most important composer from the country which brought us Carl Nielsen since that composer left us! Holmboe's music is full of powerful statements, rich orchestrations and a form which engages the listener from the start. There is a definitive sound to the music of Holmboe and his idea of "Metamorphosis" never allows for noise instead of music. The listener who prefers being engulfed in music to casual listening will not be dissapointed. The two works on this recording are a good place to start for anyone on their journey to understand the music of Holmboe. This is a journey that few will not be rewarded in undertaking! Michael Steele"
Splendid Music!
Richard A. Cavalla | 07/21/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I discovered Holmboe by opening my Penquin Guide to a random page and looking for an interesting review. What a lucky pick! Holmboe, though little known, has written some of the greatest symphonies of the century and as time passes his star will continue to rise. I am now exploring his other works. The 8th and 9th are both tremendous, though very different from each other. The 2nd, also available on BIS, is also riveting, though perhaps not quite as deep as the two presented here. Buy, listen, and enjoy!"
Two stunning symphonies that take the Nordic tradition and a
Christopher Culver | 04/06/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I was attracted to this BIS disc because Vagn Holmboe was the teacher of Per Norgard, my favourite composer. I wasn't really sure what to expect from Holmboe's music, only that would draw both on the classical tradition and on the Nordic style initiated by Sibelius. I discovered a mighty symphonist.
Indeed, the Symphony No. 8 "Sinfonia boreale" does indeed wed the Nordic idiom to the four-movement structure of a classical symphony. The Sibelian element is the organic nature of Holmboe's writing, as the work is propelled by the metamorphosis of a four-note theme. But any previous Nordic achievement will look tame compared to Holmboe's Eight. It is of nearly relentless energy, only occasionally pausing for breath as in the second movement when it breaks off into a recapitulation of the movement's opening section, or in the lull of parts of the third movement. In fact, the piece as a whole seems rather unhinged. The final movement rises to a climax marked by a savage timpani line. It then comes to a close, but there's something unresolved, and the music flows back into the some kind of primal gloom. The Eight is a tour de force, and I cannot recommend it enough to lovers of Nordic music. The Symphony No. 9 (1969) is the gateway to Holmboe's late output. His Nordic idiom continues, but one finds a greater transparency of textures. One feature of his last decades is the placement of intermezzo movements between the main action of a piece, and in the Ninth the second and fourth movements are such intermezzi. Here Holmboe chooses to break the development of the piece by reducing the instruments to strings playing at very low dynamic. I suspect Bartok's "night music" was an inspiration here.
So Holmboe seems a composer whose soundworld touches on Sibelian gloom, Schoenbergian psychological intensity, eerie Bartokisms, and even the touch of Debussyian downy softness. I'm very happy that I heard these works, and I look forward to exploring more of Holmboe's music. Note that BIS has released a Complete Symphonies box that is more economical than getting the individual discs if you think you'll want to hear them all."
Track Listings (9) - Disc #1