Wiren composed five symphonies (the First was withdrawn) between 1931 and 1964. The best-known is No 4 (1952), written at the height of his powers and currently available with No 5 (10/98). The Second (1938-39), dedicated to his wife of four years, Noel, is an engaging, romantic work, with a rather pastoral character. The influence of Sibelius is felt throughout, but – as with Klami’s near-contemporaneous First Symphony (Ondine, 3/96) – it’s the Sibelius of the tone-poems and theatre suites that comes to mind, not the abstract master of Nos 6 and 7. The first movement is vigorous and dramatic in places without compromising the essentially sunny and outgoing character of the whole. The succeeding Adagio confirms Wiren’s melodic genius, with a principal theme of great charm. The finale is less successful, its formal structure somewhere between fantasia and potpourri; though long, it does not really overstay its welcome.
The Third (1943-44) is broadly on the same lines if less prolix: three movements, the first dramatic (indeed it whips up quite a storm), followed by another fine slow movement. The finale is more purposeful – indeed there is a compelling thematic unity running through all three movements – but the tension is dispelled rather than resolved by the coda’s dwelling on the lyrical concluding theme. None the less, as with No 2, this is a symphony that deserves repeated hearings. The performances by the Norrkoping orchestra are top-notch, as is the sound. The two Concert Overtures are lively fillers, light but not slight music. Warmly recommended.'