Allan Pettersson: The Loneliest Swede

[@Opuskrokus]

I just adore Allan Pettersson! He's up there with Shostakovich as the greatest 20th century composer.

[@keithcooper6715]

For me - Allan Pettersson's music is NOT Depressing as is so often charged. It is rather music that accomplishes a profound Catharsis and so is music that cleanses and restores. - For me - he is the most highly UNDERRATED composer of the 20th century

[@DavidA-ps1qr]

A vastly entertaining post. As always the huge research you have made pays dividends. My wife is Swedish and can't stand his music, but I'm an admirer. I just wonder what would have happened if he had studied with Hindemith. The mind boggles. You really educate everyone interested in music with these uploads and are doing a fantastic job. Please, please don't stop. I eagerly await your next contribution.

[@CharlesAustin]

What a story. A very admirable heart, so honest with such intent. This is a great reveal. He is to be admired, honoured, and most importantly, listened to.

[@Senatedefender]

Thank you. Allan Pettersson forever.

[@Tybold63]

One of my favourite composers, maybe it is the bittersweet sadness, or how to express it, that resonate with myself. It is strange how negative things like sickness, loneliness, drug abuse etc call forth great artists. RIP AP.

[@ExtrackterYT]

I was 13 when he died. I didn't knew about him but on television they showed a documentary about him. It was more than a two hour long dirge and I got absolutely blown away. He just took place among the greats in an instant Wonderful to hear someone outside Sweden talk about him. When I studied music it became apparent that he was an outsider because his music was never mentioned (Måndagsgruppen was always mentioned) and if I brought up his music in discussions it was like if Pettersson's outcast were passed on to me. However; Christian Lindberg has made an excellent job in creating interest about Pettersson - one can only hope that his music will be played more than... about never.

[@elias-axelpettersson7292]

Thanks for sharing. Just a quick note on the last name pronunciation: Peh'-ter-son (soft "e" at the beginning). Actually, in Swedish, one would say: Peh'-ter-shone. Cheers! (If you're wondering, we are not related to my knowledge :))

[@TheProsaicCult]

For my money, Allan Pettersson was one of the great composers of his time.

[@adrianthorburn3435]

Great post,just got into Pettersson through a Swedish friend who recommend the 8th symphony,absolutely love it,

[@daviddichmann4905]

I’ve been absolutely binging your videos this past week. Great content for anyone fond of classical music.

[@saidtoshimaru1832]

Well, it was kinda natural Sergio Comissiona would commission a work from him.

[@p.r.h.7283]

His 8th symphony was my introduction. It is beautifully brutal. A special composer

[@pianomanhere]

Same here. Love it in all of its depressing persistence.

[@RobertJSedky]

Keep up the great work Mr Nerd! Greeting from Melbourne, Australia. 👏👏👏👏

[@Woodcut60]

Great video! Currently I am reading the Swedish journalist Leif Aare's biography of Pettersson which is a good book. It was written in 1978. By the way, the "Petter" in his name does not rhyme with the English "Peter" as you pronounce it, rather more with the English word "better".

[@yvetteworrall8909]

Thank you for clarifying this. When my English yet cosmopolitan, classical music loving husband mentioned this name - authentically - my ears pricked up and I have been careful to respect the Swedish vowel ever since. This most astonishing composer of searing soul sound searchings deserves nothing less.

[@BertoldBR74Roux]

Thanks! Great!

[@BenjaminStaern]

My father who was a conductor knew Allan Pettersson back in the 40 and 50s when Allan was a violist in Royal Stockholm Philharmonic (back then it was called Stockholm Concert Society Orchestra) said that Allan was a person full of humour and charm in his younger days. Was always curious learning the musical craft my Dad gave away all books by Berlioz-Strauss in orchestration.

[@amir.nouroozi.composer]

Very Informative, thanks

[@markdavidsonjewell]

wonderful, thank you!

[@aflightofbumblebee749]

Rei Kawakubo. “The rules are in my head”

[@erzsblasfantaven3334]

this dude almost won the bingo of tragic life events

[@ClassicalNerd]

The only reason he _almost_ won is because Louis Vierne was also playing.

[@carlose.johansson739]

Very good!

[@kittenmittentheatreadventu3185]

Well done!!!

[@nicholasjagger6557]

Absolutely brillianr

I would be happy to see my great uncle Yngve Sköld in one of these videos, wonder if you are familiar with hos music? He deserves so much more recognition. Keep up the good work! Maybe a video on Blomdahl or Bo Nilsson soon?

[@ClassicalNerd]

Sköld, Blomdahl, and Nilsson have been added to the request pool: lentovivace.com/classicalnerd.html Bear in mind that I can only take five requests from any individual so as to not further bloat an already bloated system, so I can't take any more requests from you until I make a video on either Novák, Makarova, Sköld, Blomdahl, or Nilsson (which, given the state of the request system, will be _quite_ a while). I don't like to disappoint anyone, but all the same, I feel obligated to prioritize composers who get more unique requests; I'm just one guy and these videos take a while since it's one of just many things I do!

@@ClassicalNerd understandable! Thank you!

[@thijmenkrijgsman2417]

Could you do a video about Luciano Berio? (Love your video‘s!)

[@ClassicalNerd]

Duly noted: lentovivace.com/classicalnerd.html

[@alicewyan]

@@ClassicalNerd Can I upvote this choice? :)

[@ClassicalNerd]

You certainly may!

[@daigreatcoat44]

I hesitate to add to the already daunting list of requests - but please consider Calliope Tsoupaki. I've just bought the Complete and Utter Pettersson, and have listened to the first and second Symphonies - I love them, and don't hear the music (so far at least) as depressing.

[@cameronmurray3223]

Could you make a video on Arvo Part please!!!

[@ClassicalNerd]

I get this request quite a bit and while I'm more than open to doing a video on post-minimalism or holy minimalism, I'm _extremely_ hesitant to do one of these videos on living composers, as this series functions as career-encompassing retrospectives in a full historical context and you just can't do that as long as a composer's career is still ongoing. Sorry!

[@cameronmurray3223]

@@ClassicalNerd Yes completely understandable I agree, really love this channel btw!

[@zacharydetrick7428]

Hyped to learn about Scandinavian composers! 1/2 of my family is from Denmark.

[@zacharydetrick7428]

Speaking of Scandinavian, I would think that the first "e" in Pettersson would be a short "e", no?

[@ClassicalNerd]

As has been noted elsewhere in the comments. None of my sources included a proper pronunciation guide.

[@kenm.3512]

An excellent clip in every way. In the past I have found Pettersson's music to be too bleak for my tastes. That said, I am tempted to dive into some of his work again. The 7th Symphony in particular, is a good place to start. Thank you Thomas !

[@vesteel]

Please do Anton Reicha! He's such a severely underrated composer.

[@ClassicalNerd]

Duly noted: lentovivace.com/classicalnerd.html

[@_iphoenix_6164]

Very nice, always loved these high-quality videos! Checking your requests list, I'd like to see Holst and Verdi in the future, maybe even Borodin- keep up the great work (but don't burn out, heh)

[@ClassicalNerd]

Duly noted: lentovivace.com/classicalnerd.html

[@kanelbullenochkakan3118]

Can I vote for Dag Wirén on the website?

[@ClassicalNerd]

Duly noted: lentovivace.com/classicalnerd.html

[@henriklarsen_art]

Very nice videos. If you're looking for suggestions for composers and performers that would and are interesting, how about Bill Evans? He had a very interesting life - a little tragic, perhaps, but with great dignity non-the-less. He was about as talented as any could possibly be.

[@ClassicalNerd]

Duly noted: lentovivace.com/classicalnerd.html

[@KevinBarrettDalton]

Just discovered your series. Looking forward to digging into your videos, especially the more obscure ones! I've recently been made aware of Louse Farrenc, but I didn't see a video in your series on her. (I may have missed it; you have a lot!). Any chance you might do one on Farrenc?

[@ClassicalNerd]

Most of my content is driven by what's gotten the most requests, and your request for Farrenc has been duly noted: lentovivace.com/classicalnerd.html

[@jamesking3757]

Could you do a video on Aram Khachaturian please?

[@ClassicalNerd]

Duly noted: lentovivace.com/classicalnerd.html

[@samuelcoutocomposer2919]

Can you make a video about Aram Khachaturian? He was a great composer.

[@ClassicalNerd]

Duly noted: lentovivace.com/classicalnerd.html

[@TheProsaicCult]

One of histories greatest treasures, although, not very well known. Too bad he never connected with Hindemith.

[@paologiroldi90]

Did you ever considered to put english subs to your video? I know it takes time, but it would be great for your non-english native speaker audience. Anyway good job.

[@ClassicalNerd]

That's a great idea and I've considered it, but at the end of the day, there's a lot of things I'd like to do with this channel that I simply don't have the time to do. I have over 42 hours of content already, and going back through every second to add subtitles would take months. I'm willing to open up captioning to fans, and I have for specific videos in the past, but so far no one's had the desire to do the entire backlog ...

[@me321ish]

Please please do a video on Cyril Scott!

[@ClassicalNerd]

You already requested Scott: lentovivace.com/classicalnerd.html

[@jacobtapianieto9655]

A video about Matthijs Vermeulen would be interesting.

[@ClassicalNerd]

Duly noted: lentovivace.com/classicalnerd.html

[@vengoheim7810]

Next do BORODIN Plz I’m begging you!!!

[@ClassicalNerd]

Duly noted: lentovivace.com/classicalnerd.html

[@iknowimaysoundgaywhenisayt386]

Did u do faure

[@ClassicalNerd]

Yes! You can find all composer biographies in my "Great Composers" playlist: kzbin.info/aero/PLkaVvuj0OEZ1LwVYnAUV4dxLa6YYaslwT

[@helenamarie4337]

Pleeeease do a video on Krzysztof Penderecki! :)

[@ClassicalNerd]

I've always been hesitant to cover living composers because it's impossible to do thorough retrospectives on ongoing careers. Sorry! (I'd be more than happy to take a look at any individual piece of his, though; perhaps I'll do a video on the Threnody next year ...)

[@helenamarie4337]

​@@ClassicalNerd Oh okay that makes sense! Maybe his Saint Luke Passion? :) What about Siegmund von Hausegger btw? That would be awesome! :)

[@ClassicalNerd]

Duly noted: lentovivace.com/classicalnerd.html

[@telephilia]

There commenters here saying Pettersson one of the greatest composers of all time. C'mon, don't you want at least some music to make you happy? Tragedy isn't necessarily superior to comedy. Lighten up.

[@Caprifool]

Considering the absolute hell he lived in every second, of course his music is on the darker side. But depressing, it is not. There is a beauty in life, even a hellish one.

[@emilynightingale7758]

when i first saw the title, i honestly thought you meant swede as in the vegetable. person who is swedish makes much more sense.

[@ClassicalNerd]

Not gonna lie, I had to look this up, and learned that swedes are known as rutabagas in the United States; I had no idea that there was a definition for "swede" other than as a demonym. American English strikes again!

[@ericforsyth]

​@@ClassicalNerd: Rutabaga is also derived from the Swedish word for the Swede/Rutabaga (specifically in Småland dialect). So Swedes at various points in history obviously really liked those things, for them to be synonymous with them in almost all Anglophone parts of the world (and, apparently, France). In most of Sweden, it's known as kålrot (cabbage/kale root). Also, although pronouncing it as Peterson as a non-Swedish speaker is understandable and acceptable, the double t means both e sounds should be short ones (like in the English word "pet", so pet-eh'r-sohn)

[@alfonsomartinez328]

Please do one on Antonio Vivaldi, thank you

[@ClassicalNerd]

Duly noted: lentovivace.com/classicalnerd.html

[@soryusedtoblameneithernowb3714]

Please could you do Khachaturian?

[@ClassicalNerd]

Duly noted:lentovivace.com/classicalnerd.html

[@adamjones7701]

Rautavaara pls?

[@ClassicalNerd]

I have a (pretty old!) video on Rautavaara [ kzbin.info/www/bejne/hJjZgol6a55ooc0 ] and you can find all composer biographies in my "Great Composers" playlist: kzbin.info/aero/PLkaVvuj0OEZ1LwVYnAUV4dxLa6YYaslwT

[@pawncube2050]

Ooh he was fighting against a disease called 10-symphony-limit. Not many survivors so far. Lol jokes aside seems like a cool composer. Also can I make a vote for George Enescu?

[@ClassicalNerd]

Duly noted: lentovivace.com/classicalnerd.html

[@iknowimaysoundgaywhenisayt386]

Is Nietzsche on ur mind remember he was also a worthy composer

[@ClassicalNerd]

I've added Nietzsche to the request pool, but his compositional activities are mostly a historical curiosity when compared to the impact that his philosophy had on the æsthetics of contemporaneous late-Romantic composers.

[@yoboysemaj2617]

If you wash the pronouncing how can you make one about Edvard Grieg?

[@yoboysemaj2617]

@@ClassicalNerd if you watch the pronounncion, how can you make one about Edvard Grieg?