Search - Franz Berwald, David Montgomery, Jena Philharmonic :: Franz Berwald: Symphonies Nos. 1-4

Franz Berwald (1796-1868) and his music were largely forgotten until the late 20th century, when his works, especially his four symphonies, were revived with overwhelming success. After decades of almost total neglect, Berwald has come to be considered what one modern critic called "the most individual and significant musical personality Sweden has ever produced". Although Berwald used isolated features of Nordic folk music, he was more of a romantic nationalist and also differed clearly from his national contemporaries who deferred to Liszt and Wagner in matters of tonal idiom, form and structure. Conductor David Montgomery was the last pupil of the legendary conductor René Leibowitz. He made his debut in 1969 at the Schönberg Festival in Lyon. That same year, he began his work as Associate Conductor with the Santa Fe Opera. Numerous appearances as conductor and pianist in Europe and the United States followed. Montgomery's film debut took place at Columbia! Pictures as conductor in 1993, and behind the scenes as historical consultant for Martin Scorsese's The Age of Innocence.