Dutch composer Peter Schat (1935 – 2003) was one of the modernist composers who wanted to change the cultural landscape of the 60s. He was an importent part of the Notenkrakers, a group of composers demanding more attention for avant-garde and contemporary classical music. In the 70s he became more traditional, and was working with the same orchestra he was protesting against in 1969. That contrast is nicely proven on this recording: a combination of a symphony with links to the past from 1978, and an iconoclastic septet (with conductor) from 1957.
I once walked away at the opera, when I visited Symposion at the Nederlandse Opera. It was the first set of performances of that work, in 1989, and I just couldn’t appreciate the work. Maybe I should try it again now, because I did like this recording. Much to my surprise, I might add.