Ture Rangström is better known for his 250 songs and his four symphonies than for his chamber music. The complete works fit on one CD, and provide some interesting insights into his ability to create a haunting atmosphere within a few bars. The best pieces here are the Nocturne in E.T.A. Hoffman’s Style for string quartet (strangely evoking Janacek), the rhapsodic Improvisata for piano, and some of the violin/piano duets, notably the sorrowful Arioso. Rangström’s music is grave and passionate; a feeling of resignation often underlines its nostalgic character. His writing is almost exclusively melodic, and gives little space over to contrapuntal episodes, even if the Nocturne ends with a very effective, furiously paced fugato. Although their playing is conscientious and affectionate, the performers don’t try to make this unpretentious music sound bigger than it is. Tale Olsson’s violin tone isn’t the most irresistible, but she and pianist Mats Jansson always catch the right mood for these atmospheric miniatures. The Holmen Quartet has a warm and focused sound that suits the music well. This disc will satisfy curious listeners and chamber music completists.
