Pohjola Symphones 1 & 2 on Alba

[BFerrell]

Seppo Pohjola's Symphones 1 and 2 now on Alba: http://www.alba.fi/kauppa/tuotteet/4954
These works are both quite beautiful.

[Alan Howe]

Can you give any more details - or offer a comparison, please?

[BFerrell]

For me, very much tied to mysticism and nature. Think Sibelius' 4th plus 90 years.  Non-serial and quite moving. Built on motifs rather than sing-song melodies. Superbly orchestrated. No. 3 will premiere on May 25.

[Alan Howe]

Any connection with, say, Rautavaara (e.g. Symphony 7)?

[BFerrell]

More conflict than Rautavaara. Not quite as "conservative". Shifting emotions and more troubling but not serial at all.

[isokani]

I once went to a portrait concert of the music of Seppo Pohjola. Loads of other Finnish composers were there, wearing ill-fitting suits and carrying briefcases, looking rather like insurance salesmen. I have avoided his music since. I found it rather safe, self-conscious and academic. Maybe the symphonies are better.

[BFerrell]

Isokani, I literally cannot express how completely I disagree with your assessment.

[Alan Howe]

Isokani, I literally cannot express how completely I disagree with your assessment.

Well, you literally have done so!