Symphony No.2 in F major - Kurt Atterberg

Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra conducted by Ari Rasilainen.

I - Allegro con moto - Pesante - A tempo, tranquillo - Tempo I (subito) - Agitato - Tranquillo - Tempo I - Pesante - A tempo, tranquillo - Tranquillo - Maestoso - Largamente: 0:00
II - Adagio - Presto - Adagio - Presto - Tranquillo - Adagio: 12:52
III - Allegro con fuoco - Con moto - Tranquillo - Con moto - Adagio - Tempo I, furioso - Pesante - Tranquillo - Con moto - Tranquillo - A tempo, con moto - Maestoso: 28:51

Atterberg's Symphony No.2 was composed in 1911, being originally in two movements when it was premiered in Gothenburg on December 18 of 1912, performed by the Gothenburg Orchestral Society conducted by Atterberg himself. It was well-received, but the critic considered an unfinished work. Atterberg decided to add a finale between 1912-3, this version being premiered on July 27 of 1913 in Sonderhausen, by the Court Orchestra of Sondershausen conducted by Carl Corbac.

The first movement is structured in sonata form. It begins with a pastoral melody of great beauty, over which an impetuous and energetic main theme is constructed. After an intense climax, a peaceful and lyrical second theme is presented, derived from the main one. Follows a dramatic and stormy development section, in which triumphal climaxes rise from the nebulous harmonies. A brief pause leads us to the recapitulation of the themes. A placid, contemplative passage gradually grows more intense and passionate as a triumphal processional. However, a calm coda ends the movement.

The second movement is complex in form, being both a slow movement and a scherzo fused in one. It opens with a peaceful and lyrical main theme on strings, which unfolds in a gentle and romantic manner. The music culminates in an expressive climax of nordic grandeur. A rhythmic second theme is presented by the wood, taking the form of a scandinavian dance. It is then developed vigorously, before the calm lyrism of the beginning reappears for a while. The rhythmic dance then reappears, rising in a boisterous climax. The music again subsides in a contemplative passage, with a rhythmic ostinato constant in the background. The trumpet leads us to a triumphal passage that rises from the depths to the skies, with the main theme reappearing on brass in a Wagnerian way. A brilliant, massive coda ends the movement.

The third movement is structured in sonata form. It begins with a forceful main theme of heroic spirit, which rises in masculine climaxes. It is deeply contrasted by a lyrical second theme. The main theme reappears as it leads us to a dramatic and tense development, with the music constantly struggling between passages of great lyrism and others of violence and forcefulness. The recapitulation as the main theme burst out suddenly, followed by the second. A long and expecting crescendo leads us to an extensive coda of triumphal force, ending the whole work in a glorious blaze.

Picture: "The Judgement of Paris" (1852) by the French painter Gustave Moreau.

Musical analysis partially written by myself. Sources: https://bit.ly/3xtgGWQ and https://bit.ly/3xtJPRF

To check the score: https://bit.ly/3k9y9k7