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). The Swedish Rhapsody No. 1 - also known as Midsummer Vigil – is a splendid evocation of Sweden's most important seasonal festival, combining all the dancing, aquavit, wild-flowers, folk costumes and eroticism one could possibly ask for.
The brilliantly orchestrated Suite from the Mountain King is one of the most frequently performed pieces of Swedish music. But Alfvén is also highly regarded as a symphonist and he 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 and other works – a large part of Alfvén's output for orchestra. Previously released on five separate CDs, these recordings were greeted with great enthusiasm by reviewers when first released.
Extra material for download
