With complete recordings
of the symphonies (BIS), the string
quartets, the chamber concertos and
the works for sinfonietta (all on DaCapo)
readily available, it was inevitable
that a recording of the Sinfonias
I-IV Op.73 would be released
some day. These pieces are crucial milestones
in Holmboe’s symphonic output as well
as important steps in the development
of the metamorphosis technique that
characterises most of his later major
works.
The first three Sinfonias
were composed in fairly quick succession,
between 1957 and 1959, and originally
conceived as independent works to be
played separately. It seems, though,
that at the time he completed Sinfonia
III Op.73C (1958/9), the composer
eventually contemplated a larger work
of which the Sinfonias would
constitute the main parts. Although
conceived as an independent work, too,
Sinfonia IV Op.73D, completed
in 1962, was structured somewhat differently;
for the first three Sinfonias
are single-movement structures, albeit
often falling into several sections.
Sinfonia IV is in four
short movements (Preludio, Interludio
I and II, Postludio). It
is thus quite possible that by then
Holmboe had a larger work in mind incorporating
the earlier Sinfonias but needing
some extra material. Although each Sinfonia
may be performed on its own with musically
satisfying results the complete set,
performed as Chairos, is considerably
more rewarding. This may be due to the
fact that Sinfonia IV
is globally less convincing as a single
work than any of its predecessors. I
found it slightly flawed and not entirely
convincing when heard on its own. However,
when heard in the global context of
Chairos, in which each movement
of Sinfonia IV plays its
part as prelude, interludes and postlude,
the piece acquires a totally different
meaning; and it is thus evident that
Chairos is much more than the
sum of its parts; no mean achievement.
I have listened to Chairos more
often than to the Sinfonias themselves,
although they are all superb examples
of Holmboe’s formal and orchestral mastery.
This most welcome release was long overdue,
but now here it is in very fine performances
and recordings (but why on earth have
these recordings from 1997 had to wait
for seven years before being released?).
This magnificent release is a must for
all Holmboe completists, while it provides
for a fine introduction to his substantial
output, and is thus likely to appeal
to any newcomer to Holmboe’s music.
Hubert Culot
see also
review by Rob Barnett
Danish Radio Sinfonietta/Hannu Koivula 