ALLAN PETTERSSON (1911-1980): Symphony No. 4, Symphony No. 16 for Saxophone and Orchestra.

Description: The continuation of this superb series is self-recommending and requires no further comment. The bonus DVD is a 50-minute Swedish television interview from 1974, around the time that interest in Pettersson was just starting to pick up, and just before the premiere of the 10th Symphony. The composer, plainly uncomfortable and ill at ease nonetheless eventually warms up to the task of narrating a series of anecdotes about his hardscrabble childhood, tribulations with various teachers and as viola player in the Philharmonic, and his abandonment of a performing career in favor of composition. No new information, at least not for anyone interested enough in Pettersson to be buying this CD, but watching his demeanor - by turns combative, defensive and darkly humorous - gives interesting insight into the man and, to a degree, why his music sounds the way it does. The final three minutes are an intriguing filmed excerpt of the 10th Symphony conducted by Dorati, which will presumably have hardcore Pettersson collectors salivating for the whole thing. DVD Who the hell is Allan Pettersson? - a 52-minute interview from 1974 for Swedish Television. English subtitles. Jörgen Pettersson (sax), Norrköping Symphony Orchestra; Christian Lindberg.