Symphonies Nos. 1-5

Swedish Rhapsody No. 1, Op. 19 'Midsommarvaka'

Swedish Rhapsody No. 2, Op. 24 'Uppsalarapsodi'

Swedish Rhapsody No. 3, Op. 47 'Dalarapsodi'

Den förlorade sonen (The Prodigal Son), Suite

Bergakungen (The Mountain King) Suite, Op. 37

Hugo Alfvén remains one of the best-loved of Swedish Romantic composers. He was especially drawn to the possibilities of the orchestra, and considered his first four symphonies to be his most important works, though he also described the first movement of the Fifth, with characteristic modesty, as ‘the least bad thing I have written’. His music is distinguished by orchestral subtlety and by a painterly exploitation of harmony and timbre. Even the abstract works such as the symphonies are coloured by the water and light of the Swedish archipelago, but he also composed a set of Swedish Rhapsodies which are included here.

“The orchestral playing under Neeme Järvi is very responsive indeed…this account is eminently persuasive and the recording beautifully balanced with detail perfectly placed and plenty of air round the sound… In the touching “Elegy’’ from Gustav II Adolf, perhaps his most affecting and deeply felt piece, Järvi is at his most persuasive and gets marvellously responsive and committed playing from the Stockholm orchestra.” Grammophone