Friday, April 25, 2025

Berwaldhallen, Dag Hammarskjölds Väg 3, Stockholm

Blomstedt’s beloved Berwald to begin, his E-flat final Symphony, of charm and caprice, quirkily attractive, in a performance relaxed and smiling but never slack, sure of surprises, with a heartfelt slow movement, shaped here like a twenty-four-carat gem, strings shining, woodwinds glinting, a reverie interrupted by the sassiest of Scherzos, rhythmically adroit in the composer’s named venue, leant on in just the right expressive places, yet what lightness of touch, a deftness that facilitated the Finale ideally, the SRSO devoted to its conductor laureate, who knows just how to integrate the composer’s contrasting trademarks – such as melodic enchantment and mercurial fleetness – leading to an energetic payoff. While it’s wonderful to have Sixten Ehrling’s BIS recordings of Berwald’s Four Symphonies, the proposed set from Herbert Blomstedt is hopefully still to come.

Blomstedt’s a choosy Mahler Symphony conductor, performing (I believe) only No.1, the ‘Resurrection’ (recorded in San Francisco), Four, Das Lied, and the Ninth (set down in Bamberg). Not one to sensationalise, Blomstedt’s view of the First was thoroughly musical and wholesome, leaving the listener to paint pictures and invent storylines, or instead appreciate subtleties of balance, colour, detailing and dynamics. This was an eminently listenable account, patrician in itself, concluding joyously, the SRSO members with one accord, a rendition that had let the spectator in without signposting. Concert played again tomorrow afternoon.