Repertoire: Tough Symphonists (No. 3)--Pettersson, Hartmann and Enescu

These three exceptional symphonists are all unjustly neglected, although for different reasons. Allan Pettersson’s works are famously dark and difficult. Hartmann was Germany’s greatest post-War symphonist, writing at a time when the German symphony was seen as deader than even Wagner had insisted. George Enescu wrote music in a style alternately exotic, complex and elusive. People expecting easy listening in the manner of his famous Romanian Rhapsodies are in for a shock. Musical Examples courtesy of Orfeo Records, Capriccio Records, and Ondine Records. p.s. In speaking of Pettersson, I got my Lindbergs mixed up. The new BIS recordings are conducted by Christian, not his brother Jacob.