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Dear Friends,

Exactly two years ago I began this blog project, my little tribute to Pettersson on his 100th anniversary year, with the intent of listening to all of his orchestral works before his big birthday on 19 September 2011. Seeing that I just posted my thoughts on the Symphony No. 1 just under two weeks ago, it goes without saying that I did not even come close to making my intended deadline. 

Regardless, during this time I have immersed myself in Pettersson’s music to a level of depth which I have not attempted with any other composer I know. I have been haunted, disturbed, sometimes even harassed to the point of insomnia by this music. During this survey I have reassessed works which I had given up on in the past, several of which now rank among my favorites. I have gained an exponentially greater appreciation of this music and the profound message that it carries.

During this time I have had the privilege of seeing Pettersson’s music performed live. I have performed Pettersson’s music on one of the greatest stages in all of classical music. I have visited Pettersson's grave and his old neighborhoods in Stockholm. I have been quoted on the radio, word-for-word (unacknowledged!) by the BBC. Christian Lindberg has visited this blog and left comments. Guest writers have contributed to this blog, their writings insightful and often deeply moving. Readers from all over the world have visited, from the casual to the die-hard Pettersson fan, from the curious to those who simply stumbled upon this blog by accident. I never expected to receive so many visitors, and I am extremely grateful for your support and comments. 

In addition to being my tribute to Pettersson, I have hoped that this blog has and will continue to serve as an English-language resource to this great composer. However, having made it through all of the orchestral works, I think my work here if finished. Having said that, I will still come back with information on upcoming concerts, concert reviews, and hopefully more guest blog entries. If it is Pettersson-related, I will do my best to present it here. 

Keep listening to this music. Keep studying this music. Keep spreading the word. I sincerely hope that during my lifetime, Pettersson’s music will go the way of Mahler: his time will come. 

See you around!