Paul Archibald Sounding Out

The year 1919 was transformative around the world and an exceptionally creative year for composers. On the global stage, troops returned home from World War I; the Treaty of Versailles was signed; and the idea of self-determination took hold. A new era of modernity was born with innovation and consumerism defining the interwar period. 1919 saw new or revised works by many of the finest early 20th Centrury composers such as Arnold Bax Tintagel, Edward Elgar Cello Concerto, Gabriel Fauré Masques et bergamasques, Gustav Holst Ode to Death, Jean Sibelius Symphony No. 5, Igor Stravinsky Symphony in E-flat (revised version) and Heitor Villa-Lobos Symphony No. 3 and Symphony No. 4

Hugo Alfvén (1872-1960)
Symphony No 4 in C minor: Movt 4 Allegro agitato
Iceland Symphony Orchestra
Niklas Willen (conductor)

Darius Milhaud (1892-1974)
Le bœuf sur le toit, Op. 58
Bremen Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra
Renaud Capuçon (violin)
Daniel Harding (conductor)

Edward Elgar (1857-1934)
Cello Concerto in E minor Op 85: Movt 4 Allegro
Jacqueline du Pré (cello)
London Symphony Orchestra
John Barbirolli (conductor)

Richard Strauss (1864-1949)
Die Frau ohne Schatten
Vienna State Opera
Karl Bohm
Birgit Nilssen (soprano)

Jean Sibelius (1865-1957)
Symphony No 5
London Symphony Orchestra
Sir Colin Davis

Hugo Alfvén was an important Swedish composer, conductor, violinist, and painter, best known for his significant contributions to Swedish music during the late 19th century and first half of the 20th century
Alfvén’s music reflects the folklore, landscapes, and traditions of Sweden, characterised by its lush harmonies, colourful orchestration, and evocative melodies.
In addition to his symphonies, Alfvén composed numerous tone poems, choral works, and chamber music pieces and was also a talented painter, often depicting Swedish landscapes in his artwork.
He was principal conductor of the Royal Opera in Stockholm in the early 20th century.
Alfvén’s Symphony No. 4 was completed in 1919 and is considered one of his most significant works. It consists of four movements and is inspired by the rugged landscape and folklore of the Swedish archipelago.
The symphony depicts the movement of the sea during storms, moonlight and sunshine and a young couple’s love accompanied by the undulating movement of the waves, featuring both dramatic and lyrical music, reflecting Alfvén’s deep connection to nature and his Swedish heritage.
He also produced an earlier work, a tone poem entitled A Legend of the Skerries (1902), which inhabits the same sound-world, albeit without the symphonic development of the current work.