During his lifetime, Hugo Alfvén became known as one of Sweden’s principal composers of his time, with works that struck a chord with a wide audience. As a result of his popularity, a nationwide collection was held in celebration of his 70th birthday in 1942, with the proceeds used to build Alfvéngården, the composer’s home during his final years. Now, 80 years later, Elin Rombo and Peter Friis Johansson are releasing their tribute to Alfvén’s 150th anniversary, recorded at Alfvéngården using the composer’s own piano. Alfvén is primarily known for his orchestral music – including the ubiquitous Swedish Rhapsody No. 1 – and as a composer of choral music. As befits the setting, the focus of the present disc is on more intimate works, however – namely songs and piano pieces. Some of the pieces are closely related to the venue – Fyra låtar från Leksand (Four Tunes from Leksand) is a piano version of folk tunes collected from a local fiddler and Så tag mit hjerte (‘So take my heart’), Alfvén’s most frequently performed song, was composed there in 1946 as a present to his wife.
Please login to post a review
Reviews
“A blast of fresh air from Sweden comes by way of this fabulous disc, containing Alfven’s Symphony no.2 in D major and Sevensk Rhapsodino.3. Superb performances and beautiful, exciting music.”
Em Marshall-Luck – Spirited Magazine 2023 (Issue 23) – June 2023
“… a very recommendable release.”
Christian Hoskins – Gramophone magazine Awards Issue – 2022
“Two substantial Romantic works, full of glorious melodies, and well played.”
David Barker – MusicWeb-International.com – 10 October 2022
“… Her [Stark] violin tone is pure, but never pale, admirably capturing the otherworldly eeriness of Bartók’s Solo Sonata…” ****
Charlotte Smith – BBC Music magazine (Brief Notes) – October 2022
“Alfvéns soundworld is largely late-Romantic, though there’s also oodles of Mendelssohn-like good humour in his Second Symphony…” ****
Jeremy Pound – BBC Music magazine (Brief Notes) – October 2022
Media Downloads
Whenever possible we provide a high resolution CD cover image and a PDF version of the CD booklet for you to download and keep. These are found in your history if purchased and once you have logged in.