This was something I first heard as a kid (probably on a BBC "Music and Movement" education programme, the tune blasting out of a huge school radio-cum-speaker in the days before high-tech gadgetry).The famous melody lodged itself in my mind so securely that when, much later, I found out the composer's name (and that the piece was much more than just the opening bars) it was like a musical epiphany! I LOVE the Swedish Rhapsodies....in fact, I love just about all of Alfven's music, this being a welcome addition to the other uploads of his wonderful work on this channel. Many thanks!
Such vivid and cogent writing. For me, the wind and string writing are always the clincher when considering Nordic music! The ability to draw out solos as well as belt where the score demands! I'm sure I've heard Atterberg use the central Lento (? - I'm not musically-trained!) theme from 7:00 onwards but, frustratingly, the folk elements he draws out never seem to develop, only shift on a few chromatic modulations. It ends up sounding like an academic exercise as he builds and builds the contrapuntal elements to introduce tempo. I shall be exploring this composer further after trying to find a composer matching Sibelius' originality.
This is as fine a Rhapsody as anyone ever composed. Plenty of development and spontaneity in this one. There’s nothing frustrating at all about this piece. Pure magic!
I love this! Just discovered it on the radio last night. : )
This was something I first heard as a kid (probably on a BBC "Music and Movement" education programme, the tune blasting out of a huge school radio-cum-speaker in the days before high-tech gadgetry).The famous melody lodged itself in my mind so securely that when, much later, I found out the composer's name (and that the piece was much more than just the opening bars) it was like a musical epiphany! I LOVE the Swedish Rhapsodies....in fact, I love just about all of Alfven's music, this being a welcome addition to the other uploads of his wonderful work on this channel. Many thanks!
Such vivid and cogent writing. For me, the wind and string writing are always the clincher when considering Nordic music! The ability to draw out solos as well as belt where the score demands! I'm sure I've heard Atterberg use the central Lento (? - I'm not musically-trained!) theme from 7:00 onwards but, frustratingly, the folk elements he draws out never seem to develop, only shift on a few chromatic modulations. It ends up sounding like an academic exercise as he builds and builds the contrapuntal elements to introduce tempo. I shall be exploring this composer further after trying to find a composer matching Sibelius' originality.
This is as fine a Rhapsody as anyone ever composed. Plenty of development and spontaneity in this one. There’s nothing frustrating at all about this piece. Pure magic!