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- Svendsen, Johan Severin
Duration: 31 minutes
Description: Johan Severin Svendsen (1840–1911) composed his SYMPHONY No. 2 in B-flat major, Op. 15, in 1874, during his tenure as conductor of the Royal Theatre Orchestra in Copenhagen and premiered in Oslo (then Christiania) in 1876 with the composer conducting. Written shortly after his successful SYMPHONY No. 1 in D major, this work further established Svendsen as one of Scandinavia’s leading symphonists of the Romantic era. The symphony reveals the influence of German Romanticism, particularly Schumann and Mendelssohn, while also displaying Svendsen’s distinctive Nordic lyricism, clear orchestration, and rhythmic vitality. Cast in four movements, it moves from an expansive, noble opening through a graceful “Andante sostenuto” and lively “Intermezzo”, culminating in a triumphant “Finale” that radiates warmth and optimism. While Svendsen’s orchestral output was relatively small, this symphony remains a cornerstone of 19th-century Norwegian orchestral music, admired for its craftsmanship, melodic richness, and spirited character that reflects both cosmopolitan refinement and the freshness of Nordic Romanticism. Instrumentation: 2.2.2.2: 4.2.3.0: Timp: Str (9.8.7.6.5 in set). Reprint edition.