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Hugo Alfvén remains one of the best-loved of Swedish Romantic composers. He was especially drawn to the possibilities of the orchestra, and considered his first four symphonies to be his most important works, though he also described the first movement of the Fifth, with characteristic modesty, as ‘the least bad thing I have written’. His music is distinguished by orchestral subtlety and by a painterly exploitation of harmony and timbre. Even the abstract works such as the symphonies are coloured by the water and light of the Swedish archipelago, but he also composed a set of Swedish Rhapsodies which are included here. Includes extensive booklet notes
‘The orchestral playing under Neeme Järvi is very responsive indeed…this account is eminently persuasive and the recording beautifully balanced with detail perfectly placed and plenty of air round the sound… In the touching “Elegy’’ from Gustav II Adolf, perhaps his most affecting and deeply felt piece, Järvi is at his most persuasive and gets marvellously responsive and committed playing from the Stockholm orchestra.’ GRAMOPHONE
Track listing:
CD 1
1. Uppsala-rapsodi Op.24 (Swedish Rhapsody No.2) 9:54
Symphony No.1 in F minor, Op.7
2. I. Grave – Allegro con brio 14:14
3. II. Andante 8:05
4. III. Allegro, molto scherzando 8:24
5. IV. Allegro, ma non troppo 9:36
6. Drapa för stor orkester (for large orchestra), Op.27 10:21
7. Andante religioso (from “Revelation Cantata”, Op.31) 3:41
CD 2
1. Midsommarvaka, Op.19 (Swedisch Rhapsody No.1) 13:30
Symphony No.2 in D major, Op.11
2. I. Moderato 14:41
3. II. Andante 12:13
4. III. Allegro 9:28
5. IV. Preludio: Adagio 6:16
6. Fuga: Allegro energico 10:12
CD 3
1. Dalarapsodi, Op.47 (Swedish Rhapsody No.3) 21:26
Symphony No.3 in E major, Op.23
2. I. Allegro con brio 10:15
3. II. Andante 9:44
4. III. Presto 8:15
5. IV. Allegro con brio 9:05
Den förlorade sonen (The Prodigal Son) – Suite
6. Gånglåt från Leksand – Sonens gånglåt 4:06
7. Polska från Orsa 1:30
8. Drottningens av Saba festmarsch 2:17
9. Polketta 2:36
10. Steklåt 2:36
11. Polka 2:21
12. Final 2:48
CD 4
1. En skärgårdssägen, Op.20 (A Legend of the Skerries) 16:11
Symphony No.4 in C minor, Op.39, Från havsbandet
(from the Outermost Skerries)
2. Moderato – Allegro – Moderato – Allegro — Lento – Maestoso – AndantePoco più mosso – Molto appassion 47:21
CD 5
Bergakungen (The Mountain King) – Suite, Op.37
1. Besvärjelse (Invocation) 4:04
2. Trollflickans dans (Sorceress’s Dance) 4:30
3. Sommarregn (Summer Rain) 2:16
4. Vallflickans dans (Herdmaiden’s Dance) 3:59
Symphony No.5 in A minor, Op.54
5. I. Lento – Allegro non troppo 17:03
6. II. Andante 7:10
7. III. Lento – Allegro – Presto molto agitato 6:47
8. IV. Finale: Allegro con brio 16:27
9. Elegy from “Gustav II Adolf”, Op.49 4:06
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