Search - Vagn Holmboe, Hannu Koivula, Danish Radio Sinfonietta :: Sinfonias 1-4

Something quite different

Russ | Richmond, VA | 08/23/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Here we have the four sinfonias for strings composed by Vagn Holmboe (1909-1996) in two different configurations on two separate discs. The first configuration presents the four sinfonias in compositional order, while the second uses the four-part Sinfonia IV as introductory, connective and concluding material to be placed around the single-part Sinfonia I, Sinfonia II and Sinfonia III. When heard in this fashion, the connected piece is known as "Chairos" which means "time in the psychological sense, that is the passage of time as we sense it." All of this seems a bit weighty, and you really don't need to involve yourself in this psychological pondering to enjoy this engaging music. Holmboe was a very gifted composer; definitely one of the greatest composers of the second half of the twentieth century in my opinion.



The sinfonias were composed between 1957 and 1962, in between the composer's eighth and ninth symphonies. The music is not particularly melodic, in the traditional sense. However, the Sinfonias strike me as profound works, which grow upon each listening. The mood of this music ranges from mysterious to austere, but the unique voice of Holmboe is quite clear throughout the sinfonias. The music occasionally ventures into the modal realm, which is lovely. However, much of the material is dark, with distinctive use of the basses. In the sinfonias, Holmboe employs dissonant harmonies and sparse textures to provide tension. The music consistently sounds fresh, and Holmboe makes brilliant use of dynamic, tempo and style contrasts as to keep the listener fully engaged.



This music is very good, and deserves to be heard. Yet, this music didn't completely win me over at first listen and I still find it a little difficult to find my way through the craggy and dissonant preludio, interludes and postludio (Sinfonia IV). For this reason, I would recommend that newcomers start with the symphonies (3, 5, 8, 11, 12 and 13 are my current favorites, but all are great) or one of the four volumes of the concertinos. If you have previously acquired the Holmboe compositions mentioned above, this disc is wholly recommended. As far as twentieth century string music is concerned, Holmboe's sinfonias stand out as being truly unique. Fascinating.



CD1: 56:52

CD2: 56:52"

Holmboe's 4 String Sinfonias in Two Different Configurations

J Scott Morrison | Middlebury VT, USA | 07/05/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Vagn Holmboe (1909-1996) wrote four string sinfonias between 1957 and 1962. When writing the fourth, he hit upon a strange idea. The first three, each in one movement, were to be 'surrounded' by the Fourth. The first three are in one movement each. The Fourth, in four movements, consists of a Preludio, Interludios I & II, and a Postludio. The four, then, could either be played individually as free-standing pieces, or they could be played as a mega-sinfonia, which he called 'Chairos,' formed thus: Preludio, Sinfonia I, Interludio I, Sinfonia II, Interludio II, Sinfonia III, Postludio. Got that? This issue, the first of these sinfonias that I'm aware of, presents them both ways. That is, CD 1 gives us Sinfonias I-IV; CD 2 gives us 'Chairos,' in the configuration outlined above. It's a nice idea for dacapo to present this material both ways, particularly as you get two CDs for the price of one.The music itself is typical of Holbmoe's mature style, which is primarally tonal or modal, with little chromaticism but with fairly astringent, some would say 'Nordic,' harmonies. Formally it is similar to the 'metamorphic' style that followed Sibelius, with the music developing organically rather than in the Central European classical manner that pits conflicting themes against each other. What sets this music apart from his other orchestal music is that it is for strings alone. This allows for the peculiarly visceral response arising from the sound of strings in close harmony and free counterpoint that such music often evokes. Holmboe is considered by many to have been the most important Danish composer of the late 20th century and it is fitting that this performance is by the Danish Radio Sinfonietta which, in spite of being an orchestra initially founded to play the works of the classical masters like Mozart, has made a specialty of playing Holmboe's considerable music for this combination. They have already recorded his thirteen chamber concertos, works that often feature various combinations of solo groups and chamber orchestra [e.g. piano trio and orchestra; oboe, viola and orchestra] and they clearly have his style in their blood. I suspect that anyone reading this review will already be familiar with Holmboe's music and ready to snap this up. To those who are coming to his music for the first time, I would suggest that they might want to start with either a disc of his string quartets (if that's their meat) or one of the chamber concerto discs (my favorite happens to be Vol. 4). TT for each disc is the same: 56:52Scott Morrison"

A delicious treat!!!!

Ryan Morris | Chicago, IL | 03/01/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It is such a wonderful(and reassuring) delight to know that there are modern composers out there(though this one is passed) that survived Boulez's McCarthy-like reignof terror on classical music. This disc, as a whole, could risk sounding too similar, or not variant enough, as it is all strings. Rest assured, it doesnt! After receiving this i popped into my discman and took a walk(on a sunny day) and before I knew it, had gone through the disc entirely, and still wanting more(in a good way)

My first brush with Holmboe was BIS' chamber concerto disc(8 i think-piano, clarinet, and flute) and was slightly disappointed with the naivette writing of the opening piano concerto. However, this disc grew on me(though I still find the piano concerto to be less than stellar orchestral writing of interest only as a hint of things to come) This disc is wonderful, appealing and for those who think classical music should be beautiful, look no further, meet Vagn Holmboe."