Malmö Symphony Orchestra, Paavo Järvi - Nystroem: Symphonies Nos. 2 & 5 (1996)

A disciple of Carl Nielsen, the Swedish symphonist Gosta Nystroem developed a powerful idiom which acknowledged the musical trends of his time (1890-1966) without losing his own personality. As a result, it's hard to characterize his music as sounding like anyone else, although one can clearly see that he followed Nielsen's call for more objectivity and less self-indulgence in music.
This disc is an excellent introduction to Nystroem's music. The better of the two symphonies on this disc is clearly the Sinfonia Espressiva (No. 2). This is a powerful work built around an opening Lento which begins almost inaudibly and develops into a powerful threnody. The following scherzo is built around a challenging and distinct motif in the winds. Next comes a passacaglia Adagio on a Swedish folk tune which is not at all folksy. In fact, it builds to a powerful peroration before the somewhat Hindemithian fugal finale starts. This builds to a wrenchingly powerful climax before the music ebbs away.
The Sinfonia Seria (No. 5) has a somewhat less distinct profile--behaps because the melodic content is not as strong. Composed for strings, percussion and flute, it "sounds" in places like Bartok's masterpiece for a similar group but Nystroem eshews any sense of folk coloring unlike Bartok. There are some very effective moments in the piece, but there are passages where the lack of a distinct melodic element makes the music sound like chromatic noodling.
Be that as it may, this is still a disc to get because the Sinfonia Espressiva is a true masterpiece. The music is certainly not Romantic in any sense, but Nystroem does not eschew form and has a pleasing ability to turn memorable melodic phrases. Although there is dissonance and chromaticism, it isn't overwhelming and tiresome as it can be in some 20th century music.
So, if you're curious, take the plunge. I think you'll find the Espressiva a piece that will make it back to your player repeatedly. BIS's sound is excellent although the opening bars of both pieces should have been turn up just a little. The performances are fine.