Nobuko Imai: Gösta Nystroem Viola Concerto 'Hommage à la France'

Gösta Nystroem: Viola Concerto 'Hommage à la France' (Nobuko Imai viola)

Gösta Nystroem (1890-1966) was a Swedish composer as well as a painter before he decided to devote his time entirely to music. He spent most of his time in France during 1920-1932 and composed this concerto in 1940. Judging by the music here, he really enjoyed his stay in Fance. The outer movements are suffused with an infectiously happy buoyancy. The melancholic mood of the slow movement is probably mostly due to nostalgia. Imai puts on an expressive performance, very nicely supported by Malmö Symphony Orchestra with Paavo Järvi conducting.