Along with Wilhelm Stenhammar and Wilhelm Peterson-Berger, Hugo AlfvÃ©n surely ranks with the leading composers of Swedish late romanticism. In the country of his birth he made a name for himself above all with his compositions inspired by Swedish folklore, one of which, Midsommarvaka, his most famous work, is heard on Vol. 1 of our new edition of his complete symphonic works. It is both astonishing and impressive that AlfvÃ©n, who previously had composed nothing more than a few piano pieces, songs, and chamber works, suddenly came forward in 1897 with a full-length symphony of some forty minutes in length. This highly regarded Symphony No. 1 exhibits very finely nuanced tone colors, and with it he immediately became known as a capable and experienced composer. AlfvÃ©n composed Drapa, a monumental, magnificent, and festive work with the subtitle "King Oscar II in memoriam," for a gala event at the Royal College of Music and conducted it's premiere on 18 October 1908. For our ambitious project we have secured the support of the German Symphony Orchestra of Berlin and Lukasz Borowicz - one of Germany's best orchestras and one of today's most promising young conductors.

Tracklist:

Symphony No. 1 In F Minor, Op. 7: I. Grave. Allegro Con Brio
Symphony No. 1 In F Minor, Op. 7: II. Andante
Symphony No. 1 In F Minor, Op. 7: III. Allegro Molto Scherzando
Symphony No. 1 In F Minor, Op. 7: IV. Allegro Ma Non Troppo
Drapa, Op. 27
Midsommarvaka, Op. 19

UPC: 761203504329
Label: Cpo Records
Release Date: 6.8.18
Format: CD

Alfven - Complete Symphonies 1 (CD)