Hugo Alfven (1872 - 1960) was a Swedish composer, conductor, teacher, violinist and painter. His love of Sweden and its national folk music make him one of Sweden's premier composers. His music takes inspiration from folk tales and national stories, and he used folk melodies in his writings.
I have been aware of him and some of his other compositions for some time (his symphonies, and his Symphonic Rhapsody), all of which are written in the late Romantic style of the time. His works never spill over into the avant-garde, experimental styles of early 20th century music, but instead keep the beauty, grace, and romanticisms of the music of his childhood and his schooling. In my opinion, they benefit from this. Had he gone down the route of 20th century contemporary experimentation, then he probably would not have been held in such great esteem by his countrymen.
Here I listened to a short symphonic poem called, in Swedish, En Skärgårdssägen, which has been translated both as "A Tale From The Archipeligo", or, as more romantically, "The Legend Of The Skerries". Using an old Swedish legend as his inspiration the music takes us on this journey: The Spell Of Dreams on summer waters, the waves crashing and surging over the reefs, the water maidens at play, the crash of the waves again as there is a shipwreck, the local marching band sounding the alarm, the peace and calm of the water afterwards, and the song of the seabirds.
Played on this recording by Stockholm's Koncertforungsorkester conducted by Alfven himself, it serves as a beautiful aural timepiece to hear a piece of music, written in 1904, the way the composer intended it to be played. Just wonderful!
Reviewer - Matthew Dougall
on 10/6/20
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