Symphony No3 in D major quotPictures of the West Coastquot Kurt Atterberg

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Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra conducted by Neeme Järvi. • I - Summer Haze. Lento - Un poco più mosso - Molto tranquillo - Un poco più mosso - Lento: 0:00 • II - Storm. Con fuoco (non troppo presto, largamente) - Più mosso - Con fuoco [Tempo I] - A tempo I (un poco più vivo) - Più mosso (molto) - Tempo I - Adagio molto tranquillo: 7:33 • III - Summer Night. Adagio - Molto tranquillo - Un poco più mosso - Largamente - Adagio - Molto vivace - Più mosso - Più mosso sempre - Tempo I - Tranquillo - Largamente - Lento: 19:01 • Atterberg's Symphony No.3 was composed between 1914-6, uniting three symphonic pictures conceived separately. The whole work was premiered in Stockholm on November 28 of 1916, performed by the Royal Court Orchestra conducted by Armas Järnefelt. While it was dismissed by Swedish critics, the work achieved great popularity overseas, being positively compared with Strauss. Up to this day, many consider it one of the finest works of Atterberg. The first and third movements were composed in the coast village of Lysekil, located in the west coast of Sweden, hence we can perceive the marine, idyllic inspiration of the sea. • The first movement is very freely written. It begins with an atmospheric introduction of impressionistic character. The oboe presents a lyrical and colourful main theme, which is passionately taken by the orchestra. This material is then developed with predominant intervention of the wood, with touches of the harp and celesta. The opening atmosphere is recapitulated, leading us to an expressive climax. A peaceful coda ends the movement. According to the composer: It reflects the atmosphere of a calm day, with a shining sun, at the edge of the sea, observing how the sun shines on the water that is lost on the horizon and the sweet sound of the waves . • The second movement is structured in sonata form. It opens with a stormy and energetic main theme, deeply contrasted by a lyrical second theme of great beauty on violins. Follows a dynamic and colourful development, with howls of the strings and percussion blows, until the recapitulation begins with the second theme, followed by the main one slowly crawling from the depths. The music grows into an epic climax. Finally, the storm subsides and the sounds of the harp brings us peace. A calm coda, based on the second theme, ends the movement gently. The movement is totally descriptive in its painting of a strong storm, accompanied by loud thunders and the howling of the wind. In the words of its author the second theme of slow character, describes the calm inside the fjord, from where you barely hear the roar of the raging sea hitting the coast outside . • The third movement is a nocturne freely written. It begins with a nocturnal and delicate main theme presented by the flute, giving a sense of harmony and rest. The orchestra takes it in an expressive manner, followed by the flute introducing a rhythmic motive, which leads us to a brilliant climax of Nordic spirit. The theme is then recapitulated by the English horn. The rhythmic motive of the flute reappears, leading us to a pastoral dance theme, a kind of dance of elves of Nordic roots. A vivacious climax is then reached, but soon the last part begins brilliantly, which Atterberg describes as the sunrise at the end of the night. A broad and majestic theme grows and then culminates in a powerful and extensive coda. The music describes the calm of a summer night on the west coast of Sweden. But not everyone sleeps during the night, they remind us of the dances of the elves celebrating the warm season. Finally the day resurfaces as its author tells us, the dawn rises, the wind refreshes and the sun surpasses the mountains, first illuminating with cold colours to progressively become warmer. • Picture: Photograph of the coast of Lysekil (Sweden). • Musical analysis partially written by myself. Sources: https://bit.ly/3EiX2R3 and https://bit.ly/3Sc49jZ • To check the score: https://bit.ly/41uXrZQ

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