Norman, Ludvig - Symphony No. 3 & Overtures - Gustavsson, Johannes

This album contains a large part of Ludvig Norman's (1831–1885) orchestral works, the "Swedish Brahms," including his masterpiece, Symphony No. 3, performed by the Oulu City Orchestra conducted by Johannes Gustavsson. Ludvig Norman was a fascinating artist who inspired an entire generation of Swedish composers and was widely respected, even though his Third Symphony was not premiered until after his death. Born in Stockholm, Sweden, Ludvig Norman (1831–1885) went to study at the famous Leipzig Conservatory at the age of 17, where his teachers included Ignaz Moscheles (piano) and Julius Rietz (composition). He returned to Stockholm as a professional musician and composer, deeply inspired by the musical life of Leipzig. Norman is often considered one of Sweden's leading symphonists after A. F. Lindblad and Franz Berwald (1796–1868). His contribution to the Swedish orchestral repertoire includes three symphonies, three overtures, and a funeral march. Stenhammar described the composer's third symphony as "full of beauty" and even claimed to appreciate it more than "any of Brahms' symphonies."