Search - Hugo Alfven, Petri Sakari, Iceland Symphony Orchestra :: Alfvén: Swedish Rhapsodies; A Legend of the Skerries

Truly Swedish

Brett A. Kniess | 03/14/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This could possibly be the finest set of tone poems written by any Scandinavian. I originally bought this on a whim, but unbeknownst to me, a rare treasure existed. The colors that Alfven writes are truly unique: lush and often very eclectic. One of the rhapsodies is a montage of old ivy league college tunes. Another depicts the Swedish celebration of the longest day of sunlight in a brilliant fashion. What truly gets me each time I listen to it is Alfven's skill at writing both beautiful and exhilarating lines for the French Horn. At times my jaw drops at the horn lines at each section of the rhapsody.The Gustav Adolph piece, at very first hearing, could be the most beatiful piece I have ever heard. I have chosen it for my funeral. The Chandos label, as usual, has recorded in excellent sound quality, and beautifully executed by the little known Iceland Orchestra. If you enjoy the modes and harmonies of Scandanavia (Grieg, Sibelius, Nielsen) this will simply be a joy!"

Swedish delight

Brett A. Kniess | Madison, WI | 01/04/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The most famous Swedish composer, aside from Franz Berwald, has to be Hugo Alfven. His music is ultra-Romantic, and on this CD, the influence of Swedish folk music is in the forefront with five works: Alfven's three Swedish Rhapsodies, his Legend of the Skerries, and the beautiful Elegy.



The first Swedish Rhapsody is entitled Midsummer Fest, the celebration of the longest day of light. Like the day it celebrates, the work is sunny and radiant. The opening melody is like an old friend, one that is immediately enjoyable and fondly remembered. The theme goes from instrument to instrument, but when the full orchestra tackles it, the immediate joy is overwhelming. The middle slow section begins with warm strings and an echo of the opening idea, but a new, slightly melancholy, soaring melody takes over, and switches to a powerful emotion of longing. When the pace quickens, a new sprite melody takes over, again bringing back the happiness. The music erupts into yet another section, more reminiscent of a Scottish reel. The 14-minute work ends with fanfares and jubilation. The second Swedish Rhapsody, Uppsala Rhapsody, was commissioned for the University of Uppsala. It is a sort of medley, or more appropriately termed, fantasy, of popular college tunes. The 11-minute rhapsody begins hushed with a chorale Alma Mater feel, into a more noble, almost British-sounding tune. Many more are strung together, but nothing is particularly distasteful, and the sometimes familiar settings are interesting to hear. The end is heralded by a brilliant fugal treatment and a rousing conclusion. The final, and longest, Swedish Rhapsody, timing at 20+ minutes, shows Alfven's love of setting tragic sounding music. A plaintive double-reed solo opens the Dalecarian Rhapsody, as Alfven's program of a lonely mountain shepherdess dreams about a different life. Two or three times the melancholy if broken up by various rustic dances, whether conjuring up some past memory or evoking a young girl's longings, is up to the listener. All three Swedish Rhapsodies on three different aspects of Swedish life. The music is rooted in Swedish music, often reminded of Dvorak and Grieg, it is creative and imaginative. It is especially nice to have them all on one disk!



A Legend of the Skerries takes place on an Autumn evening, first in the moonlight, then a storm comes, and then a calm. The skerries is described as the place where the water meets the rocks, a place of eternal sprays of water and swirling pools. The calm of the opening easily gives way to the dynamic waves of the water, first a love of the sea is present, but darkness eventually arrives as the storm nears and nature adjusts itself for the impending drama. Throughout the 18-minute work, there is a general optimism and love of the sea, however, and the work ends peacefully. The sweet and personally emotional Elegy is a beautiful setting from stage music based on the life of King Adolph II. The King is remembering various passionate sequences of his youth, and the music swells emotionally. A lovely and emotional 5-minute work.



The Iceland Symphony Orchestra under Petri Sakari give lush and moving performances. The Chandos label sound is warm and all voices of the orchestra speak very clearly. Terrific and well-performed music, it is nice to have all of the rhapsodies, plus some nice additions, on a single disk. For the thrifty spender, you can find these works on the Naxos label, usually paired with a symphony or ballet, but this all folk-based CD is a good one to have, and competitively, the better performance."

Incredible music!

Annette Trunnell | St. George UT | 11/27/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I grew up listening to a scratchy old album Finlandia which had some of this CD's music on it. I always loved it (my Mom's side of the family are all Swedish..that helps). The music is beautiful, emotional, and...well...Scandinavian! I was so happy to find this CD and performed so beautifully."