Petterson: Symphony no 7

Day 272

Allan Petterson: Symphony no 7

Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra

Antal Dorati

Allan Petterson has the reputation of being one of the bleakest music ever wrttten. Certainly there is nothing lighthearted or joyful in his music if this piece is anything to to by - and from what I have read it certainly is. Petterson had a difficult life. He was in near constant pain from Arthritis and was for most of his life he was confined to a small apartment. He had been a professional viola player but after he because too ill to play he devoted himself to composition, eventually receiving a small state grant.

The 7th symphony was the first of his works to receive international attention following the release of this recording by Antal Dorati. It is a single movement work of about 40 minutes. It is austere and long-breathed with a real sense of organic growth. The music of Sibelius is obviously at the root of Petterson’s music style though there are elements of Shostakovich and Nielsen in his makeup. What is took me by surprise was the lyrical section for strings about two thirds of the way through. Heard on its own it could almost have been mistaken for Vaughan Williams or ever early Tippett. The release of tension that this brought to the piece made the return to the more austere material of the opening section even more gripping. 

This was remarkable music. Certainly not easy listening but I am glad that it gave it the time that it needed for proper study. Whether I can summon up the energy to hear all of the 17 symphonies (two incomplete) is another matter. Certainly not something I can tackle in the immediate short term.