4 Symphonic Metamorphoses
Holmboe (1909-96) is considered by some the greatest Danish symphonist after Nielsen. Holmboe certainly compares to Nielsen in that he too had a strong sense of nationalism, a keen ear for the simple folk melodies of his land, and a brain filled with modern ideas. The orchestral works on this disc areEpitaph(1954),Monolith(1960),Epilog(1962), andTempo Variable(1971-72). They are an excellent introduction to Holmboe's middle period. (If you want the symphonies, check out Bis 843/846.) You won't necessarily hear Nielsen here, but the colors of this music definitely have a Scandanavian tint. Highly recommended.--Paul Cook