Langgaard - Symphony No.1

Rued LANGGAARD (1893-1952)

Symphony No 1

Artur Rubinstein Philharmonic Orchestra

Ilya Stupel - conductor 

There is no doubt in my mind that this work is a minor masterpiece; it is certainly a major creation. Langgaard began work on this symphony when he was only fourteen years old; yet who would really guess? Obviously this is from the composer's first period of creativity. It is a fine example of the late-romantic epic, especially the twenty minute long first movement. It is scored for a massive orchestra with an expanded brass section. Two tenor tubas and two bass tubas augment this even further. Eight horns are called for in the score. Langgaard was definitely in thrall to Wagner somewhere along the way!

There are five movements in this symphony. Each one had been given a programmatic title. Sun and Surf; Mountain Flora; Saga; Mountain Ascent and Courage. Now these programmatic titles can be ignored; for the actual title of the symphony, 'Pastoral of the Rocks,' was not bestowed on the work by the composer until 1946 - some 38 years after its composition. So it is not really necessary. I accept that there are elements of the music that may be reflected in the movement titles. However I truly feel it is best to consider the work as a five-movement symphony in the high romantic tradition. All the marks of the era are present in the music. The yearning, the struggle, the 'plunging romanticism' so common to works of the genre. It is quite definitely the work of a young man. It has been condemned as innocent, naïve and longwinded. Yet it is great music. If we were told that it was a work by a more 'established' composer, say a long lost early symphony by Richard Strauss, we would marvel at the sounds, the harmonies and most important of all the superb, competent orchestration.

The contemporary reviewers thought well of the piece when it was given its first performance in Berlin: - "Quite aside from the fact that Rud (sic) Langgaard in his technique reveals an astonishing maturity and sureness of hand, we find with him something even more important: in his thematic ingenuity, in the development and exploitation of his ideas, there is an exceptional, creative Urkraft, thoroughly sound."

***Note: This release was downloaded from Melomaniacos long time ago, so thanks to the original relleaser!