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
---------------

[@matstorbjornlindgren954]

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. 😊

[@lcd3697]

Ja, rejält stolt kan du vara över denne mångsidige kosntnär, han tänkte sig ursprungligen bli bildkonstnär. 😊❤

[@Anna-kj4bt]

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.

[@silviaescobar5006]

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

[@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.

[@stibba4286]

James Hendin where do you live now then? im swedish :)

[@jhendin]

Back in the US.

[@stibba4286]

okay :)

[@TempodiPiano]

James Hendin I love Midsommarvaka. What is there in Sweden that corresponds to this music?

[@MelosAntropon]

Nicolas Messina : It translates to English as "Midsummer's Vigil". Midsommarvaka is (very roughly) an annual Swedish festival somewhat equivalent to the American Fourth of July and Mardi Gras rolled into one. I am not Swedish, and apologize to any Swedes who take offense, but as I understand it, that would be the best interpretation to modern day Americans. PS: Midsummer is, or is approximately, June 20th. Yes, what we would call "the first day of summer".

[@davesmith6815]

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

[@cristinazumel4117]

Increíble esta pieza nada de fuertes agudos excelente

[@martingalvin967]

Yes - beautiful!

[@hokke6]

That is in fact a traditional Dalecarlia folk song, "Vindarna sucka uti skogarna". Also beatifully captured by singer Monica Zetterlund on her jazz album "Waltz for Debbie" with Bill Evans.

[@pestell02]

Agreed!¡

[@SwedeProof]

Ja!

[@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. 🇸🇪 🇸🇪 🇸🇪

[@westman720]

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

[@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.

[@stockholm3976]

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.

[@boandersson5432]

När jag var i Taiwan 1970 användes melodin som signatur till Amerikanska militärens nyhets och annonssändningar i deras radio.

[@cluny]

Dallas Hays in Kansas. I'm 20% swedish but somehow 0.3% japanese. I am sure the only one on my block. I was listening to swedish symphony favorites and heard something famiiar. I found it. I likely remember the Percy Faith or Montovani version. I have to have my S&B curry bars on hand, ordered on line, Hot not mild please.

[@gerardbegni2806]

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.

[@johnlorenzen4633]

Very much so.

[@gerardbegni2806]

@@johnlorenzen4633thx ! Note that Alfven wrote quite forgotten large ans strictly composed post-romantic pieces.

[@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!!! 💜🇸🇪💜

[@refresh5690]

traitor

[@Mrswedish10]

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!

[@geoffreyjohnston6483]

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.

[@lpecevich]

The theme to "International Showtime"!

[@tomp7141]

I'm 66 and remember that TV program. I particularly remember the opening music and often wondered what it was. Now I know!

[@berral]

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

[@carlose.johansson739]

Wonderful swedish popular music 🎼🎶✨️🎶✨️🎶✨️

[@Jonsson474]

11.29 and 11.38 is the essence of Swedish midsummer eve with strong influences from swedish folk music.

[@gerardbegni2806]

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

[@erickpaolosantos7016]

The Eurovision Song Contest of 1975 was held in Stockholm Sweden was used for opening

[@JanekNa30Procent]

At the same time it was used as a callsign for g02 number station (actually it was Luxembourg polka by bunny lewis)

[@somedummyonyoutube3362]

So this is what that numbers station was playing? Neat!

[@malcolmmassie7877]

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

[@johnlorenzen4633]

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

[@bjorn7100]

The beginning is played by Ritchie Blackmoore briefly on Deep Purple's live version of 'Lazy' from the Made in Japan album, 08:50 into the track. Pretty cool as a Swedish Deep Purple fan!

[@adamblaha9838]

Exactly! I was told this on RB''s fanpage where we share our guitar covers....it is very funny part put in the middle of the hardrock song! :-)

[@bjorn7100]

@@adamblaha9838 Yes haha, and it's also funny that it's in Japan in 1971 or whatever it was. Can't have been too many in the audience knowing what piece it is, that's my guess anyway 😂

[@ARSENEPX]

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

[@annaperin6400]

nemmeno in Italia nessuno conosce questo compositore, e codesta pittoresca e splendida rapsodia

[@user-or4qq7nt2l]

I never heard the name of Hugo Alfvén, but I do know this piece... lovely one.

[@mauriziosant1658]

I get goose bumps. The real swedish feeling. Underbart!

[@jonjohnston8761]

my most favourate Hugo Alfven piece. NOT TOO long but perfect balance of light and heavy sequences, some you want to spring to your feet and take all the strain of the day away (2.30) and then at (4.30 onwards ) a huge change into something very thought prevoking.

[@wm8728]

I've known and adored this piece since I was 3 years old! (1961). It was on the same album as a recording of Finlandia... the choral version!

[@johnglass7383]

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

[@muzikaeuropa]

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

[@Boccaccio1811]

I would often get this song stuck in my head even though I haven't heard in probably 15 years, well until now

[@andrezinsky]

this is just great. Good job Sweden, in all levels.!

[@billlawlor4858]

I knew this music since I was a child, but only recently found out who the composer was and how to find it on KZbin. What an excellent addition to my collection of wonderul classical music.

[@MsAngie1945]

Such an exciting piece! I'm thankful for npr who introduced this to me.

[@tsopuaifa]

NPR rules.

[@lednew2010]

A wonderful and so very musical performance... but most of all, ya gotta love that HORN section: fearless!

[@boldcautionproductions9203]

Found it! Way back in the 70's I got the Deep Purple Made in Japan album, and Richie Blackmore used this in a guitar solo. I have always wondered where it came from, here it is.

[@JohnSmith-mx8wp]

He plays the melody during "Lazy". I always knew it as "Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?", but thanks to youtube I now know of "Swedish Rhapsody" as well.

[@pitomba8166]

Amo de paixão! Uma das mai lumonosas composições de todos os tempos!

[@saviolopescouto8473]

eu tinha um lp antigo meu pai tinha uma coleção destes discos eu adorava ouvir minha mãe colocava pra mim dormir o lp chamava musicas pra ouvir e sonhar estou muito feliz em rever esta melodia thank you!!!!!

[@johnhardesty3167]

Just when you thought Sweden was bland, then Alfven creates this masterpiece that captures a flight of Monarch butterflies careening through heaven’s abode.

[@erickpaolod.santos3719]

It was used in opening act of Eurovision song contest in 1975 held in Stockholm Sweden

[@pops17512]

Je me souviens comme hier de la première fois que j'ai entendu cette rhapsodie, c'était pourtant il y a 70 ans à Nevers...Un coup de foudre musicale...

[@lethayle3388]

The fact that a 31 year old can compose something like this is beyond me.

[@LeviGuitar]

4:28 the charming slow section

[@robertcartwright7964]

Lohengrin

[@LuizBHMG]

En vacker komposition av Hugo Alfvén! Det är mycket intressant att lyssna på svenska rapsodi. Det är en stark svensk anda! Tack för ladda upp! Hälsningar från Brasilien!!!

[@miniklick5638]

LuizBHMG bra sverige

[@LuizBHMG]

Tack så mycket! Detta år spelar den filharmoniska orkestern av min stad ( filarmonica.art.br/concertos/agenda-de-concertos/expedicoes-paises-nordicos/ ) den svenska rapsodi. =D

[@yorick22]

English please

[@cherylhylin5258]

@@yorick22 Why?

[@yorick22]

Cheryl Hylin English please

[@gerardbegni2806]

The main theme of the beginning of this rhapsody is very popular, but modt people do not know the entire rhapsody and are unable to give the name of the composer. Alfven has a rather conservative musical language, but he uses it in a very convincing way. His mastery of the orchestra is awesome.

[@johnlorenzen4633]

It sure is

[@theflower6455]

( 1:04 ) The Best Part ... 👍👍👍

[@brucemasters3487]

A abridged version of this was produced on a vinyl 78 rpm by Mantovani during the 1950's. Did very well in the Hit Parade.

[@fraffi7060]

Una palabra: sublime

[@conscience666]

Great performance of an utterly charming piece!

[@fantomenish]

Tack glad midsommar.Snart mot mörkare tider.

[@timelapsesofsingapore5674]

I don't know about you guys, but this song appears in my Listening Comprehension in exams.

[@johnlorenzen4633]

What the Romanian rhapsody is to that country the midsummer rhapsody is to Sweden. Both are very attractive orchestral showpieces, deservedly popular, lovely melodies and loving homages to their countries by their respective composers.

[@glum_hippo]

Simply exquisite from beginning to end

[@samwst56]

Quite good performance! Thanks for sharing!

[@marcosPRATA918]

Bela música sinfônica, tem seu lugar entre as mais conhecidas rapsódias!

[@lowefinney]

Had never heard this before. Awesome music. Just great.

[@whocares_bear]

11:29 The most Scandinavian beat ever

[@camillebouchard6436]

Compositeur suédois méconnu que j'aime beaucoup. L'intégral de cette magnifique Symphonie est très peu joué sauf le thème qui est très connu. Cette symphonie est superbe !

[@camillebouchard6436]

Merci Byrd

[@gerardbegni2806]

Zn toute rigueur, ce n'est pas une symphonie mais une rhapsodie

[@camillebouchard6436]

Merci Gérard Begni de me souligner mon erreur. C'est en effet une Rhapsodie et non une Symphonie.

[@alexmurray6515]

Muy bonita música. Él estuvo casado con la pintora danesa Marie Triepcke (1867-1940) de 1912 a 1936. Muchas gracias!

[@jonjohnston8761]

best bit 6.00 to 9.23 AND then the change at 9.46 to the very end - great all the way to the end. make a great exit to a wedding ceremony in some country manor or perhaps in southern Ireland (11.39) somewhere

[@robfuller6425]

Playing this at school.

[@whocares_bear]

I played this at All City Orchestra in 6th grade (unfortunately, a simplified version) but it was still lovely

[@swirlcrop]

Tack så mycket.

[@Kebnekaise.]

can we just appreciate how beautiful the ending at 12:47 is

[@giuseppedimarco8358]

Wonderful!

[@wallentin76]

Midsommarafton 2023!

[@mr.tgroovin8545]

Tack 😁🙏

[@aaronsrok3422]

Heard about this from number stations.

[@hakanpettersson4859]

Svensk känsla som han försökte hitta! Och som han fann...

[@Threetails]

I've never heard this whole thing! Very nice!

[@spensert4933]

Gottal love how those deep strings sound together. Sounds like there are less high up violin parts in some spots.

[@charleskristiansson1296]

Bliss and Swedish Rhapsody

[@SuperDocctor]

Позывные "Радио Швеция"(Radio Sweden) с 1967 года

[@user-so9qt1zy2g]

좋아요, 정말 좋아요♡

[@EnergyCuddles]

11:20 The grand feast is at long last ready. Be seated, esteemed guests, and merrily savour the fruits of this blessed land of summer. Raise your glasses up at the bright blue sky, and toast to the splendour of life. This is one of my favourite pieces of music ever created. Every second sublime. ♥

[@malcolmdale]

This is another of those tunes that everybody knows but don't ask them who wrote it!

[@laurentb8720]

Of course, since Alfven used folktunes, the composer of them is for sure unknowm

[@lucagiuberti682]

Now I know where Ritchie Blackmore (Deep purple) got that wee riff in the improvisation section of the Made in Japan version of Lazy!

[@jeandelarue4495]

Une vraie merveille. Jean 10:15

[@itsenzo3000]

A more dramatic version of the number station

[@kostatesfa1799]

Beat bears many diverse sweet things to savor

[@iesusdesus5704]

Achtung! Number station.

[@Benson-S-27]

It'll be beautiful if this romantic music is played in the cruise ship ballroom banquet.

[@TempodiPiano]

Décidément j'ai toujours aimé le premier mouvement de cette pièce...

[@user-iq9pe4ls2j]

很好听哦！ :) :) :) :) :)

[@ralfbeckmann597]

Great

[@MsVerlinden]

ultra connu mais sans savoir y mettre un nom, voilà qui est fait, merci

[@12corners]

Great fun!

[@cristinazumel4117]

Una joya

[@freddykrueger709]

This is what appears in my recommended list after listening to the whole "Midsommar" movie soundtrack

[@davidstuart401]

Never heard of Hugo Alfven but this was a very popular song on the radio in the 1950's in North America. May they got tired of Sinatra, Boone, Patti Page. Who knows?

[@nicholsjoshua15]

Who could get tired of Patti Page and Frank Sinatra?

[@remoapeter]

What you've heard then was Percy Faith.

[@JohnSmith-mx8wp]

+Joshua I'm thinking that Frank's first three wives got tired of him lol.

[@wikipediaintellectual7088]

8:58 to 9:03

[@fynaakurvinen8028]

thankyou zai

[@LeoMartinuzzi]

omagad itz sooo good. den är epic!!!

[@user-xl8gf6zt8j]

一説ではNHK『きょうの料理』のテーマ曲(冨田勲作曲)の元ネタとされている。

[@TempodiPiano]

C'est le type de musique que j'imite en improvisation au piano.

[@mohammadfaris5571]

Greetings from iraq 🇮🇶🇮🇶🇮🇶

[@bluedogheather]

0:45 I have a music box that plays that.

[@thejay8963]

Heather Blue Dog I have a number station that plays that.

[@arashinokumo9947]

@@thejay8963 aw cool! me too! kzbin.info/www/bejne/h5-7gaSLipuZf5I

[@tinture2822]

I wonder if this is better than Mantovani's Orchestra's version?

[@tonyrothman]

The opening theme is almost identical to "Surrey with a fringe on top." Coincidence?

[@lefeee8888]

Achtung!

[@Mark_Dyer1]

How come we al know the opening theme to this Rhapsody; but not the composer? It must have featured prominently somewhere throughout the Western World, for so many to recognise it: but, where?

[@sha1om]

Piero Umiliani quoted it in the verse of his song Mah Nà, Mah Nà... It started out in a soft porn film (“Sweden: Heaven or Hell?“) , then made famous by the Muppets, first on Ed Sullivan, then Sesame Street, and finally on the Muppet Show itself.

[@Mark_Dyer1]

@@sha1om Thank you for this information. And 'Shalom!' to you.

[@hieronyous]

PERCY FAITH MADE A POPULAR RECORDING IN THE USA DURING THE NINETEEN-FIFTIES. IT WAS A VERY GOOD AND A VERY POPULAR RECORD LIKE HIS "DELICADO" AND ALSO HIS "PERFIDIA".

[@Mark_Dyer1]

@@hieronyous Bless you Mr Bosch! Well, almost!

[@hieronyous]

@@Mark_Dyer1 HAHAHA! I THANK YOU FOR THE REFERENCE TO HIM. I THINK. BUT FOR ME, H... REFERS TO SAINT JEROME, NOT TO THE (IN)FAMOUS ARTIST.

[@santeafore4011]

5:50-9:00 George Gershine's Summertime?