Allan Pettersson, Symphony No 8, complete

Baltimore Symphony Orchestra , Sergiu Comissiona, 1980. "The dark night of the soul" is the name I personally give to the second movement of this symphony, scored in 1969. The first movement is rather pastoral, and it's wide ranging harmonic regions and clear melodic structure give it a reconciliatory and forgiving atmosphere.

However, things take a turn for the worse in the second movement (starting at 21'35"). This is the only one of all the Pettersson symphonies which is divided into two separate sections. The scenery is darkened by the arrival of threatening danger. This danger can be anything that has relevance in our own individual life experiences. For Pettersson, it was probably the onslaught of the pain of the rheumatoid arthritis to which he was already a victim. Amidst the sinister atmosphere, a struggle gradually ensues, leading into a stormy interlude. But there is no triumph. The music sinks into a long night of restless pain and suffering. One senses the relentless pangs of incessant pain. The music is structured in a complex and ingenius way so typical of Pettersson's skill.

After another failed attempt to overcome the adversity (starting at 39'45"), the music subsides into a lengthy conclusion of hopeless despair - perhaps one of the most sad and poignant conclusions ever to be be committed to a serious work of this nature.

In depth psychology we are informed that a dark night such as this is followed by it's opposite, some kind of compensation, some kind of learning, a new strength. The dark night is replaced with a dawning of new light and refreshment. This reward is not given to us in this symphony. That special song, the living waters of life, Pettersson keeps for later. He is not finished with us yet. There are another seven symphonies to go!

This file is a revision of my earlier uploads which offered two separate videos for each movement. Here the movements are combined, and the audio is improved, with less vinyl clicks.

I thank my viewers for all their kind comments made on my earlier uploads!