Harald Saeverud: Minnesota Symphony

Harald Saeverud (1897-1992): "Minnesota Symphony," (Symphony No. 8) (1958) Minneapolis Symphony, Antal Dorati conducting Movements: 1. Once Upon a Time? (0:00) 2. Hope and Longing (10:40) 3. Gay Day (Scherzo Pastorale) (19:25) 4. Man and the Machine (24:53) Commissioned by the Mineapolis Symphony Orchestra in 1958 to celebrate its 100th anniversary, Norwegian composer Harald Saeverud created his "Minnesota Symphony," his 8th venture into the symphony genre. Its premiere performance occurred at Northrop Auditorium in Minneapolis on Sunday, October 18, 1958, with the Minneapolis Symphony conducted by Antal Dorati. Composers Datebook for this date states that "The capacity audience of 4000 gave Saeverud and his symphony a warm welcome." Saeverud stated that his “Minnesota Symphony” was meant not only to be considered an occasional piece to celebrate the settlement and growth of the Midwestern American state, but as music "intended to have more universal significance." He continued, “'My whole life has been a preparation for writing this work,' he stated. 'With the map of Minnesota above my desk and with all my thoughts and feelings concentrated on Minnesota’s history, I dived into the work, which proved increasingly fascinating as I became aware that it was simultaneously growing into a history of mankind.'” (Composers Datebook, October 18) http://www.yourclassical.org/programs...