Hugo Alfvén - Swedish Rhapsody No. 1: 'Midsommarvaka'

Hugo Alfvén (1872-1960), Sverige / Suède / Sweden

Swedish Rhapsody No. 1, Op. 19: "Midsommarvaka"

Iceland Symphony Orchestra
Petri Sakari
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[silviaescobar]

I had the great privilege of being allowed to play a minute on his piano, at his Home Museum near Falun in Sweden back in 2018. So grateful! Silvia Escobar. Madrid

[Anna-kjbt]

I am Russian and have lived more than half of my life in Sweden, soon 27 years. Hugo Alvfén is the Swedish greatest composer. Dalarna region, Silja lake area are very beautiful. It is own special spirit there.

[jhendin]

Half of my family came from Sweden two centuries ago. Back in my youth I had an opportunity to live and study there. The first time I heard Midsommarvaka I was over whelmed at how much the piece truly represents the country. Hugo Alfvén masterfully captured the country's spirit. Every time I listen to it I am transported back to the place where I once spent a memorable chapter of my youth.

[Tolbens]

Ritchie Blackmore(who had a Swedish wife)played rapsody's intro in the pause of Deep Purple's song "Lazy" on the Made In Japan live recording.

[matstorbjornlindgren]

Hugo Alfven levde och bodde i det vackra samhället Leksand vid den vackra sjön Siljan i Dalarna i Sverige. Inte långt från där jag nu bor. Han gjorde mycket gott för musikkulturen här. Lite stolt är jag nog. 😊

[SwedeProof]

Jag är så stolt över att vara svensk! Jag och min familj emigrerade till NY, men våra hjärtan kommer alltid att finnas i Sverige. 🇸🇪 🇸🇪 🇸🇪

[davesmith]

5:42 Now begins one of the most beautiful passages of music ever, attaining unmatched richness at 8:00.

[stockholm]

Underbar musik! Min japanska mor berättade att denna användes som signaturmelodi i japansk radio under 1940 & 50-talet så hon kände igen den när hon kom till Sverige i slutet av 1950-talet och blev mäkta förvånad över att den var svensk, det visste hon inte.

[gerardbegni]

This rhapsody is immensely popular and deserves it. it is very well composed and orchestrated with some touchs of humour without any banality. I love it quite especially.

[gerardbegni]

A very famous piece widely known for its first theme. A very imaginative and brillant orchestration.

[Mrswedish]

8:08 Lost for words, no way to describe the feeling of my home country! It puts me in a 1, 000 places with a 1, 000 emotions. From the article summers to the long shores my Malmö, and from the thousands of islands off the west coast to the millions of lakes in the inlaid all hoping to tell their story all the way to the magical east. gosh I have a love/hate relationship with Sweden but I will always love it!

[geoffreyjohnston]

Like a few thousand other folks, I'd never heard this beyond the first movement. It is so beautiful, Iove the recurring theme. This was used as the opening music for a TV program in the early'60s hosted by Don Ameche covering circuses worldwide, I was about 9 then, now I'm 69. How time has flown but it been fun now and again. Thanks for this beautiful post.

[westman]

Härlig musik detta. Min mor träffade för övrigt Hugo Alvén på hotellet i Östersund där hon jobbade.

[gwenjosie]

I’m proud of my Swedish heritage! I loved this tune as a kid before I knew I was part Swedish. This is so beautiful and happy!!!
💜🇸🇪💜

[berral]

Like so many already pointed out - the moodchange when theme two comes - "Vindarna sucka uti skogarna" - is so hurtingly beautiful.

[johnlorenzen]

Completely successful piece. So varied in its moods. Right up there with enescps piece

[muzikaeuropa]

Wunderschöne Musik, für die die Welt noch viel lernen soll!! Haben Sie Dank für posting, wie sonst könnte man diese Schönheit fühlen!!

[johnglass]

LOVELY! I just heard this via my local station, here is SoCal.

[ARSENEPX]

Une interprétation dynamique et lumineuse de cette belle rhapsodie,  d'un compositeur longtemps (et injustement) méconnu en France. Merci pour ce partage !

[malcolmmassie]

Despite some people's aversion to popular versions, I learned to love this piece from Percy Faith and his orchestra.