Hugo Alfvén - Cantatas Vol. 1 (Stefan Parkman)

Information

Composer: Hugo Alfvén

• Vid sekelskiftet, Op. 12
• Kantat vid Reformationsfesten i Uppsala 1917, Op. 36
• Klockorna, Op. 13

Lena Hoel, soprano

Karl-Magnus Fredriksson, baritone

Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Choir

Gävle Symphony Orchestra

Stefan Parkman, conductor

Date: 1999

Label: Sterling

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Review

Cantatas for ceremonial or anniversary occasions have a distinguished tradition in the Nordic countries, as can be seen in the catalogues of Sibelius, Grieg, Nielsen and Holmboe, among others. Hugo Alfven was as accomplished as any – indeed, comparing the two main works on this new release with Sibelius’s ‘Conferment’ and Coronation cantatas (the latter for Tsar Nicholas II, 5/00), Alfven was the finer exponent. Listen to the opening movement, ‘Life’s Empire’, of Vid sekelskiftet (‘At the Turn of the Century’), which has real nobility about it; and if the second and fourth are emptily high-spirited, they still sound fun. Alfven’s style may seem archaic for 1899, but there are sufficient passages – especially in the third movement, ‘Valdarnas offer’ (‘The world’s offering’, a solo for soprano which can be performed separately) – that reveal the anachronisms to be more calculated than might at first appear. Alfven’s next numbered opus, the ballad Klockorna (‘The Bells’, 1900), was more consistently adventurous in harmony and orchestration (including two pianos), and is an absolute gem, sung beautifully by Karl-Magnus Fredriksson.

Fredriksson also features in the 1917 cantata commemorating the 400th anniversary of Luther nailing his 95 Theses to the chapel door in Wittenberg, thereby setting in motion the Protestant Reformation. The music (built around three Lutheran chorales) is magnificent, particularly in the first two movements, with their deeply affecting nobility of utterance. The final movement does burn at a lower level, slowly building towards the chorale Ein’ feste Burg ist unser Gott, as if Luther’s great hymn cramped Alfven’s compositional style.

Stefan Parkman, who directed several wonderful discs with the Danish National Radio Choir, secures wonderfully full and committed performances from Stockholm’s Royal Philharmonic Choir and the Gavle orchestra, and Sterling’s recording is warm and clear. A thoroughly estimable project, warmly recommended.

— Guy Rickards

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Hugo Alfvén (1 May 1872 – 8 May 1960) was a Swedish composer, conductor, violinist, and painter. Born in Stockholm, he studied at the Royal College of Music, as well as in Brussels and Dresden. From 1910 to 1939 he was Director musices at the University of Uppsala. Alfvén is considered as one of Sweden's foremost composers whose music combined central European stylistic features with Swedish folk music. Among his works are a large number of pieces for male voice choir, five symphonies and three Swedish Rhapsodies. Alfvén was also a talented watercolor painter and a gifted writer.

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Stefan Parkman (born 22 June 1952, in Uppsala) is a Swedish choral conductor known for leading prestigious ensembles such as the WDR Radio Choir Cologne, the Danish and Swedish Radio Choirs, and the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Choir. He was artistic director of the Academy Chamber Choir of Uppsala from 1983 to 2023, and held the Eric Ericson professorship at Uppsala University for over two decades. Outside Euorope, Parkman has also conducted ensembles in Japan, Australia, and the United States. His extensive discography includes recordings for Chandos, Dacapo Records, Footprint and Coviello Classics.

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