Stenhammar: Four Songs op 26

Day 71

Stenhammar: Four songs from Songs and Mood-pictures op 26

Vandaren

Det far eat skepp

Jungfru Blond och jungfru Brunett

En strand visa

Anne Sofie von Otter

Bengt Forsberg

There's been a of a Scandinavian theme in recent postings in this blog, including Berwald and Nielsen with Grieg and Sibelius a few weeks ago. So today I have songs from a recital disc of Swedish songs from von Otter and Forsberg.

Stenhammer was a name which I knew, mainly as a symphonist, but I can't recall ever hearing any of his music. These four songs on the recital come from a collection of 10 songs dating from 1906-1909. I didn't have any idea what to expect and I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed these songs. They are quite contrasted in mood.  The first is a fairly simple lyrical piece , the second is a high speed fun-filled journey while the third and fourth are more serious in tone. The tonal language lies somewhere between Schumann and Wolf with the occasional hint of French lyricism.  Von Otter is in superb voice on this disc and the accompaniments are sensitive and , where necessary, forceful.

This was a real find: I'd had the CD on my shelves for years without listening to it. That's exactly what this project is all about. It is a pity that there are only these four songs from the set on the disc - there are recordings of the complete set and I am sure that before long I will seek those out. I am also intrigued to know what the symphonies are like.