Erland von Koch (1910 - 2009)

[M. Henriksen]

By a coincidence I was made aware that this year is the 100th anniversary for the birth of Swedish composer Erland von Koch. So I decided to start this post to introduce the composer, and first and foremost to hear from other members your opinions of his music of which I'm not very acquainted myself.

Erland von Koch is not overrepresented in the catalogues, however Phono Suecia issued a fine disc containing orchestral music from the composer's "national period" in the 1940-50's.
This is a composer which, like his countryman Lars-Erik Larsson had his breakthrough in the 1930's. The two composers are also similar in the way that they went through several musical changes during their careers. From what I've read von Koch started of with a neoclassical style in the 30's but during the 40's his focus turned more to the folk music of Dalarna in Sweden combined with an inspiration from especially Sibelius and Grieg.
He composed until his 90's, leaving a catalogue of works in many genres. Among them 6 symphonies, one opera, film music, concertos, ballets and chamber music.

For those members of this forum with a "conservative" taste I think it's safe to say that especially the above-mentioned National period of von Koch's output is very accessible and tuneful, so no fear!

Some reviews:
http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2000/aug00/koch.htm

http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2003/sept03/von_koch_sym3.htm

Any opinions or recommended recordings?
I do hope that this is a composer that CPO will turn their attention to him in the near future.

I'm also aware that Erland's father Sigurd von Koch (1879-1919) also was a composer, and Phono Suecia have recorded a Piano Quintet to be found here: http://www.jpc.de/jpcng/classic/detail/-/art/Sigurd-von-Koch-Klavierquintett/hnum/2964298

Morten

[Kriton]

I'm also aware that Erland's father Sigurd von Koch (1879-1919) also was a composer, and Phono Suecia have recorded a Piano Quintet to be found here: http://www.jpc.de/jpcng/classic/detail/-/art/Sigurd-von-Koch-Klavierquintett/hnum/2964298

Morten

I have this CD, because of the Koch work - I was very pleasantly surprised with the music! The trick is to have very low expectations...

[JimL]

I read in the review of Erland's 2nd Symphony that the ballet Cinderella was never produced due to the "bizarre ideas of the designer".  I wonder how many other fine scores for ballets were never produced for similar reasons?  Not that I'm any big fan of ballet, but wouldn't it be great to get a modern choreographer and designer to create a present-day production using von Koch's score?  How would one go about doing that?

[M. Henriksen]

By the way, since 2010 is the 100th anniversary for von Koch's birth I rang the Norwegian Broadcasting this morning and participated in a program called "Phone for the music" (that is a very simple translation from Norwegian) and wished for von Koch's Nordic Capriccio for orchestra, Op. 26 composed in 1943. It's a powerhouse of a piece and a great introduction to the composer. To hear the work in full follow this link:

http://nettradio.nrk.no/default.php?&kanal=P2NoYW5uZWw9bnJrLXAypHN0YXJ0PTIwMTAtMTAtMDlUMDklM0EwMyUzQTAwpGVuZD0yMDEwLTEwLTA5VDEwJTNBMDAlM0EwMKR0aXRsZT1VbWx1WnlCcGJtNGdiWFZ6YVd0clpXNGdMU0E0TVRVZ05Ea2dNREF5pGlubj0wpHV0PTCkYml0cmF0ZT0=

My chat with the program host starts approximately 1/3 into the hour long program (after Cecilia Bartoli singing some Baroque-aria). Enjoy!


Morten

[jimmosk]

Any opinions or recommended recordings?

I very much enjoy the two piano concertos of his that I've heard. I can't find a currently-available recording of the Second, but the Third is on this Naxos disc:
http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=43:161738~T2

It combines the folk feeling of Tveitt with the cool martial quality of Hindemith or perhaps Holmboe. That whole disc is worth hearing.

-J

---
Jim Moskowitz
The Unknown Composers Page: http://kith.org/jimmosk/TOC.html
My latest list of unusual classical CDs for auction: http://tinyurl.com/jimsCDs

[M. Henriksen]

Thanks! I wasn't aware of that recording. Being a mature work from the 1970's the 3rd Piano Concerto would maybe not appeal to all on this forum, but at least it's good to know that it's recorded.

Morten