WILHELM STENHAMMAR (1871-1927): The Song for Soloists, Choruses and Orchestra, Op. 44, Suite from Romeo and Juliet, Op. 45 (arr. Hilding Rosenberg [1892-1985]), 2 Sentimental Romances for Violin and Orchestra, Op. 28, Reverenza.

Description: Rarely recorded, The Song, a half-hour long cantata to a text by Ture Rangström, was Stenhammar’s last major work, written for he 150th anniversary of the Swedish Royal Academy of Music in 1920-21. A pastoral first part is separated from a more rousing second section by an orchestral interlude. Also rare on disc is the 17-minute suite of music for a 1922 stage production of Romeo and Juliet, which has slight echoes of Sibelius’ theatrical scores. Reverenza (1911-13) is a discarded movement, scherzo-like in character, from the Op. 19 Serenade. Swedish-English texts. Charlotta Larsson (soprano), Martina Dike (alto), Lars Cleveman (tenor), Fredrik Zetterström (baritone), Children’s Choir of Norkköppings Musikklasser, Gothenburg Symphony Choir and Vocal Ensemble, Gothenburg Symphony; Neeme Järvi.