Hugo Alfvén - The Symphonies And Rhapsodies / Jarvi

$34.99
Label
BIS
Release Date
September 1, 2004
Format
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    Featuring ⌄
    • COMPOSER
      ALFVEN, HUGO
    • ORCHESTRA / ENSEMBLE
      Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra
    • PERFORMER
      Neeme, Jarvi
    Product Details ⌄
    • RELEASE DATE
      September 01, 2004
    • UPC
      7318591478805
    • CATALOG NUMBER
      BIS-CD-1478-80
    • LABEL
      BIS
    • NUMBER OF DISCS
      5
    • GENRE
      Orchestral & Symphonic
    Works ⌄

    1. Uppsala-rapsodi (Uppsala Rhapsody), Op. 24, "Svensk rapsodi No. 2" (Swedish Rhapsody No. 2)

      Composer: Hugo Alfvén

      Ensemble: Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Neeme Järvi

    2. I. Grave - Allegro con brio

      Composer: Hugo Alfvén

      Ensemble: Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Neeme Järvi

    3. II. Andante

      Composer: Hugo Alfvén

      Ensemble: Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Neeme Järvi

    4. III. Allegro, molto scherzando

      Composer: Hugo Alfvén

      Ensemble: Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Neeme Järvi

    5. IV. Allegro, ma non troppo

      Composer: Hugo Alfvén

      Ensemble: Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Neeme Järvi

    6. Drapa, Op. 27, "In memoriam King Oscar II"

      Composer: Hugo Alfvén

      Ensemble: Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Neeme Järvi

    7. Revelation Cantata, Op. 31: Andante religioso

      Composer: Hugo Alfvén

      Ensemble: Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Neeme Järvi

    8. Midsommarvaka (Midsummer Vigil), Op. 19, "Swedish Rhapsody No.1"

      Composer: Hugo Alfvén

      Ensemble: Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Neeme Järvi

    9. I. Moderato

      Composer: Hugo Alfvén

      Ensemble: Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Neeme Järvi

    10. II. Andante

      Composer: Hugo Alfvén

      Ensemble: Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Neeme Järvi

    11. III. Allegro

      Composer: Hugo Alfvén

      Ensemble: Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Neeme Järvi

    12. IV. Preludio: Adagio

      Composer: Hugo Alfvén

      Ensemble: Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Neeme Järvi

    13. (IV.) Fuga: Allegro energico

      Composer: Hugo Alfvén

      Ensemble: Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Neeme Järvi

    14. Dalarapsodi (Dalecarlian Rhapsody), Op. 47, "Swedish Rhapsody No. 3"

      Composer: Hugo Alfvén

      Ensemble: Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Neeme Järvi

    15. I. Allegro con brio

      Composer: Hugo Alfvén

      Ensemble: Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Neeme Järvi

    16. II. Andante

      Composer: Hugo Alfvén

      Ensemble: Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Neeme Järvi

    17. III. Presto

      Composer: Hugo Alfvén

      Ensemble: Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Neeme Järvi

    18. IV. Allegro con brio

      Composer: Hugo Alfvén

      Ensemble: Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Neeme Järvi

    19. I. Gånglåt från Leksand, "Sonens gånglåt" (Marching Tune)

      Composer: Hugo Alfvén

      Ensemble: Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Neeme Järvi

    20. II. Polska från Orsa

      Composer: Hugo Alfvén

      Ensemble: Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Neeme Järvi

    21. III. Drottningens av Saba festmarsch (Festive March): Allegro maestoso

      Composer: Hugo Alfvén

      Ensemble: Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Neeme Järvi

    22. IV. Polketta: Tempo di polketta

      Composer: Hugo Alfvén

      Ensemble: Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Neeme Järvi

    23. V. Steklåt: Allegretto

      Composer: Hugo Alfvén

      Ensemble: Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Neeme Järvi

    24. VI. Polka

      Composer: Hugo Alfvén

      Ensemble: Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Neeme Järvi

    25. VII. Finale: Polska

      Composer: Hugo Alfvén

      Ensemble: Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Neeme Järvi

    26. A Tale from the Archipelago (En Skargardssagen), Op. 20

      Composer: Hugo Alfvén

    27. Symphony No. 4 in C Minor, Op. 39, "From the Outskirts of the Archipelago (Fran Havsbandet)"

      Composer: Hugo Alfvén

    28. I. Besvärjelse (Invocation)

      Composer: Hugo Alfvén

    29. II. Sorceress's Dance (Trollflickans Dans)

      Composer: Hugo Alfvén

    30. III. Summer Rain (Sommarregn)

      Composer: Hugo Alfvén

    31. IV. Shepherd Girl's Dance (Vallflickans Dans)

      Composer: Hugo Alfvén

    32. I. Lento - Allegro non troppo

      Composer: Hugo Alfvén

    33. II. Andante

      Composer: Hugo Alfvén

    34. III. Lento - Allegro - Presto molto agitato

      Composer: Hugo Alfvén

    35. IV. Finale: Allegro con brio

      Composer: Hugo Alfvén

    36. Gustav Adolf II, Op. 49 (Suite): Elegy

      Composer: Hugo Alfvén


Some of the most colourful music to come out of Sweden - and indeed some of the most Swedish music there is! - was composed by Hugo Alfvén (1872- 1960). Take for instance the Swedish Rhapsody No. 1 - also known as Midsummer Vigil. This evocation of Sweden's most important seasonal festival combines all the dancing, aquavit, wild-flowers, folk costumes and eroticism one could possibly ask for. Indeed, this work went out into the world as a brightly coloured picture-postcard, becoming a test case for the newly formed Society of Composers, which used it to ascertain the efficacy of the copyright laws in view of the various unauthorised arrangements which soon cropped up. Another well-known work is the brilliantly orchestrated Suite from the Mountain King - one of the most frequently performed pieces of Swedish music. But Alfvén is also highly regarded as a symphonist and himself claimed that his Symphony No.1 was the first to be written 'in the Swedish language.' This attractively priced box brings together all of the symphonies, the three Swedish rhapsodies as well as several other works - all in all a large part of Alfvén's output for orchestra. Previously released on five separate CDs, these recordings by Neeme Järvi and the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra were greeted with great enthusiasm by the reviewers. The playing was deemed to be 'marvellously responsive and committed', 'of total distinction' and - according to one critic - sounding as if the orchestra was 'having a ball'. Järvi's readings were 'spectacularly vivid', 'superb', 'finely honed' and standing 'head and shoulders above its rivals'. And, finally, the recordings were described as 'state-of-the-art' and 'superlative'. All in all, the original discs were 'indispensable' and 'recommended with enthusiasm' - and we still believe they are worth every word of praise. But don't take our word for it - please try this very special issue for yourselves!