The painting is ”Sommarnatsstäming” (Summer Night atmosphere), by Swedish painter Otto Hesselblom from around 1900. It depicts his favourite motif, the lake Ånimmen, in the province of Dalsland. The painting can be found in the National Museum in Stockholm, Sweden.
This symphony is very rich and creative. The themes and melodic cells are wonderful. THey are served by an impressive art of orchestration. The only piece from Alfven which is known is his swedish rhapsody Midsommarvaka, Op.19 and its famous opening theme. . This creates an ambiguous situation. Since after all this piece is anecdotic, people tend to conclude that Alfven is a melodically gifted but a minor composer, which is absolutely not the case. His five symphonies, all five rather developed and complex, prove that he is a great composer indeed
Gran composición sinfónica.Ha escrito cinco sinfonías.La segunda es maravillosa.Ídem la primera.Pero la quinta es bellísima.En fin las cinco son muy lindas y poco difundidas.From Argentina
Hugo Alfven is one hell of a symphonist,but his symphonies are rarely performed (much like Einar Englund or Jani Ivanovs or Schnittke).I think we should embrace more these composers "newer" composers,instead of only worshiping late romantic symphonists like Mahler or Bruckner.Don't get me wrong,I love both of them ,but this is not a reason to just forget about other great symphonists.And thank you Kuhlau for introducing me to Alfven's symphonies.
I would like to hear some of your recommendations. i have enjoyed the symphonies of Atterburg, Tubin, Malartin, Madatoja. Bax, Enescu, Loeffler, Martinu, Diamond, Eller, Suk, Gliere. Englund I have to return to. Ivanov I have not heard yet or too Schnittke.
Harvegal Brian(11-17),Hilding Rosenberg(3,7!),Tippett(3! is increddible ),Lennox Berkeley(3,4) are all great and unique symphonists.K.A. Hartmann(6,8) is also one of the greatest i have ever heard, but he is rarely diatonic.Martinu's symphonies are beautiful,like every composition of his.For great symphonists after 1950 I would say:Einojuhani Rautavaara(6,7!,8),Hans Werner Henze(7,8,9!,10),Krzysztof Pnderecky (4,7!,8),peter Maxwell Davies(6,7!,8).Takashi Yosimatsu(4,5 are very good,but his 6!th is genius) is a younger composer but with interesting material mixed with jazz and impressionism.Other than those there are Arvo Prat(3,4!),Philip Glass(1!,2,4,9) and Henryk Gorecki(3!) who are minimalists but are really interesting non the less.Feel free to listen to other symphonies other than the numbers i suggested as they are not the only good ones they have written.The ones with ! are highly suggested.
Curious if there's any modern 'late romantic' style symphonic composers out there. Even though these pieces aren't that well known they are beautiful to listen to, and I find myself enjoying it just as much as early romantic music. It'd be a real shame if this was the last of it, with contemporary classical abandoning this style of composing. While I have no issue with atonality or experimental music it's tough to see the end of these truly enjoyable melodious symphonies.
The music aside: does anyone know if this symphony has the opus 54 or 55? my recording (the first one conducted by Alfvén himself) says opus 55 (as wikipedia). Maybe the original version of the first movement has one number and the completed symphony another... but then wouldn't 54 become before 55?
Enjoyable, but amazing to hear something from 1953 that's less adventurous than mid period bruckner! Certainly a very long way behind bruckners 9th, of the early 1890s. Not sure why this work was written, too much recycled Wagner.
Edward Price Your first word provides the answer to why this was written-enjoyable. That's what matters, not how supposedly "adventurous" it is or isn't.
@@slothostpUL I never said anything one way or the other about whether Bruckner was enjoyable. I was wondering why it should matter to opening commenter Eddie Price if this symphony by Alfven wasn't as adventurous as Bruckner, when he said it was enjoyable. Enjoyment surely is the whole reason for wanting to hear a work. If he wants "Adventurous", go on a hike up Mt Everest!
Hugo Alfven is known mainly for his first swedish rhapsody Midsommarvaka, Op.19.was able to write several great, severe and beautiful symphonies like this one. This composer should be better known.
