This is the second release in CPO's valuable survey of the orchestral works of the Swedish composer Lars-Erik Larsson (1908-1986). As was the case with the first volume Larsson: Orchestral Works, Vol. 1 - Manze, the Helsingborg Symphony Orchestra is conducted by Andrew Manze whose obvious sympathy with this composer's music is once again evident in his fine accounts of the three contrasted works on this SACD, each of which stem from different periods in the composer's development and illustrate the eclecticism of his extensive oeuvre.

The second of his three symphonies, that opens this disc, was written in 1937 and its première in Stockholm was conducted by the composer. For various reasons, that include poor reviews from some Swedish critics and Larsson's own lack of self-confidence, he promptly withdrew it, thus it met the same fate as his other two symphonies. In 1973, however, a radio recording of the work by the conductor Sten Fryberg caused the composer to question whether his original decision to withdraw it had been the right one.

The sunny and heart-warming 2nd Symphony is a work that, from the first bar, beguiles the listener thanks to its unfailingly melodic themes, beautiful orchestration and clear structure. In style it is reminiscent of the early symphonies or lighter incidental music of Larsson's compatriot Sibelius. Though written in three movements, the central slow one incorporates a cheerful march scherzo while the powerful finale was given a new lease of life as an independent orchestral piece titled 'Ostinato' and quickly became one of the composer's most popular compositions Why a symphony as engaging as this is not more well known outside the Nordic countries is a mystery and something that makes this excellent recording of it, the first since 1988, most welcome.

The 'Variations for Orchestra' that dates from 1962 is stylistically very different from the 2nd Symphony and reflects the composer's interest in serial techniques that began in the 1930s and resumed again in the1950s. Those to whom the terms 'serial' and '12-tone' flash warning lights can be reassured that these Variations bear little or no resemblance to anything penned by the composers of the Second Viennese School. Larsson uses his orchestral palette inventively with considerable variety and brilliance while essentially the music retains a melodic and tonal character.

Larsson's humour and wit come to the fore in the final work on this disc, the attractive 'Barococo Suite' that dates from 1973. The Suite is in six movements (Entrata, Gavotte, Serenata, Minuet, Barcarolle and finally Quadrille and Galopp) each of which, as their names suggest, flirt with various 18th century musical archetypes. Quotes appear from Prokofiev's 'Classical Symphony', Mozart's ' Eine kleine Nachtmusik', a well-known Bach Partita and even Rossini's 'Overture to the Barber of Seville'! The stylish performance recorded here from Manze and the Helsingborg players is a delight. As Christoph Schlüren writes in his informative liner notes “The Barococo Suite, if it were better known outside Sweden, might crop up more frequently on the world's concert programmes. If so, it would surely find grateful listeners everywhere”. I couldn't agree more.

All three works receive committed performances from the fine Helsingborg musicians and, as with the previous release, Lennart Dehn (producer) and Torbjörn Samuelsson (engineer) have achieved marvellously luminous recorded sound in the Helsingborg Concert Hall.

Highly recommended.

Copyright © 2015 Graham Williams and HRAudio.net

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