1796-1868
Probably the earliest Swedish composer to have a recognizable name in music catalogues, Berwald's music represents the early Romantic Era.
Any mention of Berwald is usually accompanied by his tribulations attempting to find recognition as a composer. His Swedish audiences were too conservative for Berwald's music, and his jaunts into Teutonic regions were received tepidly.
Berwald did find success, but as a glassblower, sawmill executive, and in orthopedics. Unfortunately, recognition came very late in life, far too late for him to appreciate the gesture.
His music reminds me of Mendelssohn; light and bubbly, with a penchant for scherzo-like textures. Berwald exhibits conservative German styles, more than the later Romantic Nationalistic sounds from his Swedish successors, such as Alfvén, Stenhammar, or Atterberg.
Berwald's Symphony 3 'Sinfonie singulière' is perhaps his most well known. Its harmonic movement is curious, an aspect occasionally apparent in his other works. Yet, being know for one great work is far better than being forgotten within the annals of history.
Recordings and reviews currently on hand (Click below to visit):
1976: Piano Quartet with Winds
1981: Grand Septet in B-flat Major
1985: Symphonies
1991: Piano Trios
1994: Piano & Violin Concerto
1996: String Quartets
2002: Battle of Leipzig
2005: Tone Poems
2006: Piano Quintets