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Hugo Alfvén
Person · male · Sweden · Stockholm · born 1872 · died 1960 · recording since 1967
Swedish composer, conductor, violinist, and painter (1872-1960)
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Also known as H. Alfen · Hugo Alvén · Hugo Emil Alfvén · 胡戈·阿尔芬
Timeline
36 events▣ Album 31✦ Award 2◦ Birth 1† Death 1★ Debut release 1
1870s
1910s
1940s
1960s
· Debut release
Debut release: Gustav II Adolf (Orkestersvit), op. 49
First documented Album in the MusicBrainz discography.
source: musicbrainz
1980s
· Album
Album: Hugo Alfvén Conducts Hugo Alfvén, Midsummer Vigil - The Mountain King - The Prodigal Son
Album
source: musicbrainz
· Album
Album: Symphony no. 2 in D major / Midsommarvaka (Swedish Rhapsody no. 1)
Album
source: musicbrainz
· Album
Album: Upsala Rhapsody (Swedish Rhapsody no. 2) / Symphony no. 1 in F minor / Drapa / Andante religioso
Album
source: musicbrainz
· Album
Album: Dala Rhapsody (Swedish Rhapsody no. 3) / Symphony no. 3 in E / Den förlorade sonen, suite
Album
source: musicbrainz
1990s
· Album
Album: En skärgårdssägen, op. 20 / Symphony no. 4, op. 39 "Från havsbadet"
Album
source: musicbrainz
· Album
Album: Symphony no. 5 / Suite from "Bergakungen" / Elegy from "Gustav II Adolf"
Album
source: musicbrainz
· Album
Album: Swedish Rhapsodies nos. 1-3 / A Legend of the Skerries / Elegy from the Gustav Adolf II Suite
Album
source: musicbrainz
· Album
Album: Symphony no. 1 / Festival Overture / Uppsala Rhapsody / The Mountain King
Album
source: musicbrainz
· Album
Album: Symphony no. 3 / Legend of the Skerries / Dalecarlian Rhapsody
Album
source: musicbrainz
2000s
· Album
Album: Symphony no. 2 in D major, op. 11 / The Prodigal Son (Suite from the Ballet)
Album
source: musicbrainz
· Album
Album: Synnøve of Solbakken (Suite) / A Country Tale (Suite) / Élégie
Album
source: musicbrainz
2010s
· Album
Album: Sibelius: Finlandia / Grieg: Peer Gynt Suite No. 1 / Alfven: Swedish Rhapsody No. 1
Album
source: musicbrainz
2020s
Biography
English biography1,521 words · 13 sectionssource: wikipedia-en · licence CC BY-SA 4.0 · revision 1370794913
Biography
Hugo Emil Alfvén (Swedish: [alˈveːn] ; 1 May 1872 – 8 May 1960) was a Swedish composer, conductor, violinist, and painter. Alfvén was one of Sweden's principal composers. His "Swedish Rhapsody No. 1”, written when he was 31, is still one of the best-known pieces of Swedish music. After extensive European travels to develop his musical skills, Alfvén taught composition, before conducting choirs and orchestras. In 1954, he made the first Swedish classical stereo recordings. Hugo Alfvén’s extensive musical archive is held at Uppsala University, where he was music director for twenty-nine years.
Violinist
Alfvén was born in Stockholm, Sweden, and studied at the Royal College of Music (Kungliga Musikhögskolan) from 1887 to 1891 with the violin as his main instrument while receiving lessons from Lars Zetterquist. He also took private composition lessons from Johan Lindegren, a leading counterpoint expert. At the same time he played the violin at the Royal Opera in Stockholm 1890-1892.
Conductor
Starting in 1897, Alfvén travelled much of the next ten years in Europe. He studied violin technique in Brussels with César Thomson and learned conducting in Dresden with Hermann Ludwig Kutzschbach. In 1903-4, he was formally professor of composition at the Royal Conservatory, Stockholm. From 1910 Alfvén was Director musices (music director) at the University of Uppsala (a post he held until 1939). There he also directed the male voice choir Orphei Drängar (or 'O.D.') (until 1947). He conducted in festivals at Uppsala (1911), Dortmund (1912), Stuttgart (1913), Gothenburg (1915), and Copenhagen (1918–1919). He toured Europe as a conductor throughout his life. He received a Ph.D. honoris causa from Uppsala in 1917 and became a member of the Royal Academy of Music in Stockholm in 1908. Alfvén recorded some of his orchestral music in stereo late in 1954 (the first classical stereo recordings made in Sweden); the recordings were issued on LP in the U.S. by Westminster Records. A three-CD collection of Alfvén's recordings as a conductor has been issued.
Music
Alfvén became known as one of Sweden's principal composers of his time, together with his contemporary Wilhelm Stenhammar. Alfvén's music is in a late Romantic idiom. His orchestration is skillful and colorful, reminiscent of that of Richard Strauss. Like Strauss, Alfvén wrote a considerable amount of program music. Some of Alfvén's music evokes the landscape of Sweden.
Among his works are a large number of pieces for male voice choir, five symphonies and three orchestral "Swedish Rhapsodies." The first of these rhapsodies, Midsommarvaka, is his best known piece.
Alfvén's five symphonies, the first four of them now several times recorded (with another cycle in progress), give a picture of the composer's musical progress. The first, in F minor, his Op. 7 from 1897, is an early work, tuneful in a standard four movements. The second, in D major (1898–99), his Op. 11 (and in a way his graduation piece, as recounted at [2]) concludes with a substantial, even powerful chorale-prelude and fugue in D minor. The third symphony, in E major, Op. 23 (1905), also in four movements, more mature in technique though light in manner, was inspired by a trip to Italy. The fourth symphony, in C minor, Op. 39 of 1918–9 "From the Outermost Skerries" (there is also a tone-poem, A Legend of the Skerries), is a symphony in one forty-five-minute movement using wordless voices, inspired by Carl Nielsen's Sinfonia Espansiva. The 5th, in A minor, begun 1942, is one of the composer's last works, and has been recorded only twice in full (recordings and performances of the 5th, while rare enough, are usually of its quarter-hour first movement).
Naxos Records and BIS Records among others have either collections or groups of individual recordings covering all of his symphonies and a range of his works. Brilliant Classics has licensed and re-issued the 5-CD set from BIS devoted to Alfvén that includes the symphonies and other orchestral works.
Swedish Rhapsody No. 1
The first rhapsody – Swedish Rhapsody No. 1, also known as Midsommarvaka (Midsummer Vigil) – was written in 1903 and is often simply called the "Swedish Rhapsody." It is the best-known piece composed by Alfvén and also one of the best-known pieces of music in Sweden.
Painter and writer
Alfvén's contributions were multi-dimensional and also included painting and writing. He was a talented watercolorist and once thought to devote himself entirely to painting. He also was a gifted writer. His four-volume autobiography has been called "captivating" and provides significant insight into the musical life of Sweden, in which Alfvén was a central figure for well over half a century.
Personal life
Alfvén was born in Stockholm, Sweden, on 1 May 1872.
He was married three times. His first marriage (1912–1936) was to the Danish painter Marie Triepcke (1867–1940), who had previously been married to the painter Peder Severin Krøyer (1851–1909). After his divorce from Marie in 1936, he married Carin Wessberg (1891–1956). They were together for two decades (1936–1956) before she died. He married Anna Lund (1891–1990) in 1959.
He died on 8 May 1960 in Falun, Sweden, just after his 88th birthday.
His daughter Margita Alfvén became a film star in the silent era. His nephew Hannes Alfvén received the 1970 Nobel Prize in Physics.
List of musical works
When Hugo Alfvén died, his musical archive was handed over to the University of Uppsala and Jan Olof Rudén was then responsible for filing Alfvén's music, trying to create order in the chaos of a total of 214 works. The works of the composer were officially filed and opus numbered to a total of 54 musical compositions. Alfvén's works were filed according to a Rudén number along with a catalog for an opus number. Rudén has thereby attempted to classify based on other data. There still exist documents to which neither date nor Opus/Rudén number has been accorded.
In the following works below, it may be that some opus numbers contain more than one title. Opus number 48 was never used or at least recovered.
Orchestral
Opus 7 | Rudén 24: Symphony No. 1 in F minor (Composed in 1897)
1st movement: Grave – Allegro con brio
2nd movement: Andante
3rd movement: Allegro, molto scherzando
4th movement: Allegro, ma non troppo
Opus 11 | Rudén 28: Symphony No. 2 in D major (Composed in 1899) (Mainz 1901)
1st movement: Moderato
2nd movement: Andante
3rd movement: Allegro
4th movement: Fugue, Allegro energico
Opus 19 | Rudén 45: Swedish Rhapsody No. 1, Midsommarvaka (Completed in 1903) (Copenhagen 1908)
Opus 20 | Rudén 49: Symphonic poem, En skärgardssägen (First performed 1905) (Stockholm 1921)
Opus 23 | Rudén 54: Symphony No. 3 in E major (Completed in 1905)
1st Movement: Allegro con brio
2nd Movement: Andante
3rd Movement: Presto
4th Movement: Allegro con brio
Opus 24 | Rudén 58: Swedish Rhapsody No. 2, Uppsalarapsodi (Composed in 1907) (Stockholm 1907)
Opus 25 | Rudén 59: Festspel for theatre (Composed in 1907) (Stockholm 1908)
Opus 26 | Rudén 67: Fest-Ouverture (Composed in 1909)
Opus 27 | Rudén 62: Drapa (Composed in 1908)
Opus 37 | Rudén 99: Bergakungen (The Mountain King), ballet-pantomime (Composed in 1916 − 1923) (Stockholm 1923)
Opus 38 | Rudén 92: Elégie (At Emil Sjögren's Funeral)
Opus 39 | Rudén 93: Symphony No. 4 in C minor, Från havsbandet (From the Outskirts of the Archipelago) (Completed in 1919) (Vienna 1922)
1st Movement: Moderato – Allegretto, ma non troppo
2nd Movement: Allegro – Moderato – Allegro
3rd Movement: Lento – Maestoso – Molto appassionato
4th Movement: Allegro agitato
Opus 42 | Rudén 109: Hjalmar Brantings Sorgmarsch
Opus 47 | Rudén 120: Swedish Rhapsody No. 3, Dalarapsodi (Completed in 1931)
Opus 49 | Rudén 121: Elegy (from Gustav II Adolf)
Opus 52 | Rudén 201: Festival Overture
Opus 50 | Synnöve Solbakken, Suite from the film music, after Norwegian melodies (1934)
Opus 53 | En Bygdesaga (A Country Tale), Suite from music for the film Mans Kvinna (1944)
Opus 54 | Rudén 209: Symphony No. 5 in A minor
1st Movement: Lento – Allegro non troppo
2nd Movement: Andante
3rd Movement: Lento – Allegro – Presto molto agitato
4th Movement: Finale: Allegro con brio
Rudén 214: The Prodigal Son, ballet suite
Voice and orchestra
Opus 13 | Rudén 33: The Bells, baritone and orchestra
Opus 15 | Rudén 39: The Lord's Prayer, chorus, soloists, orchestra
Opus 30 | Rudén 76: Ballade, baritone, male chorus and orchestra
Opus 33 | Rudén 83: Baltic Exhibition Cantata (1914)
Opus 40 | Rudén 98: Ode on Gustavus Vasa, soli, mixed voices, orchestra
Cantatas
Opus 12 | Rudén: Vid sekelskiftet (At the Turn of the Century)
Opus 31 | Rudén: Uppenbarelsekantaten (Revelation Cantata)
Opus 36 | Rudén: Kantat vid Reformationsfesten i Uppsala 1917 (Cantata for the 1917 Reformation Festivities in Uppsala)
Opus 45 | Rudén: Kantat vid Uppsala Universitets 450-årsjubileum (Cantata for the 450th Anniversary of Uppsala University)
Chamber music
Opus 1 | Rudén 12: Sonata for violin and piano in C minor
Opus 3 | Rudén 21: Romance, violin and piano
Opus 5 | Rudén 25: Notturno Elegiaco, horn and organ
Liten svit för soloflöjt ur Mostellaria (Little Suite for Solo Flute)
In popular culture
Hugo Alfvén is the most probable source of inspiration for the character "Karsten From" found in the novel De Dødes Rige (The Kingdom of the Dead) by Danish author Henrik Pontoppidan.
Other languages
Discography & profile
Normalised profile
Percentiles are computed over every artist in the database, so a tier-3 artist can still sit in the 95th percentile on a single axis.
| Metric | Value | Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Wikipedia language versions | 32 | 91.5th |
| Spotify monthly listeners | — | no data |
| Release groups in DB | 37 | 92.1th |
| Studio albums | 32 | 98.4th |
| Awards recorded | 4 | 96.3th |
| Timeline events | 36 | 97.7th |
| Recording span (years) | -7 | 8.9th |
| Genres | 6 | 91th |
Percentiles are computed at render time; missing values mean the artist has no data on that axis.
Discography (37 release groups · 32 studio albums)
Albums · 32
Gustav II Adolf (Orkestersvit), op. 49
1967 · studio album
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Tracklist · 8 tracks · 35:56
A1Gustav II Adolf (Orkestersvit), op. 49: I. Vision3:51A2Gustav II Adolf (Orkestersvit), op. 49: II. Intermezzo2:23A3Gustav II Adolf (Orkestersvit), op. 49: III. I Kejsar Ferdinands sloppskapell6:11A4Gustav II Adolf (Orkestersvit), op. 49: IV. Sarabanda2:53A5Gustav II Adolf (Orkestersvit), op. 49: V. Bourrée1:50A6Gustav II Adolf (Orkestersvit), op. 49: VI. Menuett2:26B1Gustav II Adolf (Orkestersvit), op. 49: VII. Elegi5:07B2Gustav II Adolf (Orkestersvit), op. 49: VIII. Breitenfeld11:15Hugo Alfvén Conducts Hugo Alfvén, Midsummer Vigil - The Mountain King - The Prodigal Son
1986 · studio album
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Tracklist · 13 tracks · 52:13
1Midsummer Vigil: Svensk Rapsodi nr. 1, op. 1913:332The Mountain King: Balettpantomim, op. 37: Besvärjelse = "Sorcery"3:493The Mountain King: Balettpantomim, op. 37: Trollflickans Dans = "Dance Of The Troll Girl"5:084The Mountain King: Balettpantomim, op. 37: Sommarregn = "Summer Rain"3:095The Mountain King: Balettpantomim, op. 37: Vallflickans Dans = "Dance Of The Shepherdess"4:036The Prodigal Son: Gånglåt Från Leksand = "Walking Tune"3:277The Prodigal Son: Polska Från Orsa = "Polska"1:268The Prodigal Son: Festmarsch = "Festive March"2:179The Prodigal Son: Polketta = "Polkette"2:2610The Prodigal Son: Steklåt2:3611The Prodigal Son: Polska Från Roslagen = "Swedish Polka"2:2312The Prodigal Son: Gösse Anders Polska = "Polska"2:1713Festive Music: För Stor Orkester, op. 255:391986 · studio album
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Tracklist · 4 tracks · 49:32
1Symfoni nr 2 D-dur, op. 11: Moderato11:132Symfoni nr 2 D-dur, op. 11: Andante15:343Symfoni nr 2 D-dur, op. 11: Allegro6:024Symfoni nr 2 D-dur, op. 11: Preludium. Adagio – Fuga. Allegro energico16:431988 · studio album
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Tracklist · 29 tracks · 1:08:05
1Vårsång1:062Juninatt2:533Guldfågel1:424Trädet1:455Ingerid Sletten1:066Stemning2:397Dans! ropte Felen1:078Våren kom en Valborgsnatt0:599Min hu2:5110Prinsessen2:5011Hvile i Skoven2:5112Sommarkväll2:5813Danselek, ur operan "Ran"2:3614Tre körvisor5:3315Midsommarlåt i Leksand2:0416Papillon2:3217Stemning1:5318Maj1:3019Aftonen3:5220Anders, han var en hurtiger dräng1:3021Dalvisa1:3422Och hör du unga Dora1:4923Min födelsedag1:3324Inga liten kvarnpiga2:0425Rosor och violer1:5726Vedergällningen2:2027Uti vår hage2:1728Trindskallarna2:2729Vårnatt5:47Symphony no. 2 in D major / Midsommarvaka (Swedish Rhapsody no. 1)
1988 · studio album
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Tracklist · 6 tracks · 1:07:33
1Midsommarvaka (Swedish Rhapsody no. 1), op. 1913:452Symphony no. 2 in D major, op. 11: I. Moderato14:513Symphony no. 2 in D major, op. 11: II. Andante12:204Symphony no. 2 in D major, op. 11: III. Allegro9:385Symphony no. 2 in D major, op. 11: IV. Preludio: Adagio6:196Symphony no. 2 in D major, op. 11: Fuga: Allegro energico10:40Upsala Rhapsody (Swedish Rhapsody no. 2) / Symphony no. 1 in F minor / Drapa / Andante religioso
1988 · studio album
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Tracklist · 7 tracks · 1:05:49
1Uppsala-rapsodi (Swedish Rhapsody no. 2), op. 2410:092Symphony no. 1 in F minor, op. 7: I. Grave - Allegro con brio14:233Symphony no. 1 in F minor, op. 7: II. Andante8:124Symphony no. 1 in F minor, op. 7: III. Allegro, molto scherzando8:295Symphony no. 1 in F minor, op. 7: IV. Allegro, ma non troppo9:526Drapa, op. 2710:407Revelation Cantata, op. 31: Andante religioso4:041989 · studio album
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Tracklist · 8 tracks · 44:49
1The Lord's Prayer, op. 15: Adagio - O Du Som Fjärran Öfver Molnens Rymder (Choir)6:192The Lord's Prayer, op. 15: Larghetto - Må Jorden, Länge Höljd Av Brott (Soprano, tenor)4:403The Lord's Prayer, op. 15: Allegretto, quasi moderato - Då Skall Ej Längre Blott En Magtlös Suck (Choir)8:074The Lord's Prayer, op. 15: Andante - Allgode Gud (Mezzo-soprano)5:455The Lord's Prayer, op. 15: Andantino - Förlåt Oss Herre Såsom Vi Förlåta (Choir)4:036The Lord's Prayer, op. 15: Moderato - Mät Bördan Efter Våra Svaga Skuldror (Baritone)4:087The Lord's Prayer, op. 15: Allegro - Oss Från Det Onda Fräls (Choir); Andante maestoso - Ty Kärlekens Och Ljusets Gudaspira Du Evigt Sträcker (Choir)4:318The Lord's Prayer, op. 15: Allegro con brio - Din Är Makten, Äran, Härligheten (Choir)7:16Dala Rhapsody (Swedish Rhapsody no. 3) / Symphony no. 3 in E / Den förlorade sonen, suite
1989 · studio album
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Tracklist · 12 tracks · 1:18:30
1Dalarapsodi (Swedish Rhapsody no. 3), op. 4721:402Symphony no. 3 in E major, op. 23: I. Allegro con brio10:253Symphony no. 3 in E major, op. 23: II. Andante9:504Symphony no. 3 in E major, op. 23: III. Presto8:235Symphony no. 3 in E major, op. 23: IV. Allegro con brio9:206Den förlorade sonen (The Prodigal Son): Gånglåt från Leksand - Sonens gånglåt4:107Den förlorade sonen (The Prodigal Son): Polska från Orsa1:348Den förlorade sonen (The Prodigal Son): Drottningens av Saba festmarsch2:219Den förlorade sonen (The Prodigal Son): Polketta2:4010Den förlorade sonen (The Prodigal Son): Steklåt2:3911Den förlorade sonen (The Prodigal Son): Polka2:2512Den förlorade sonen (The Prodigal Son): Final3:031991 · studio album
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Tracklist · 27 tracks · 1:18:53
1Bergakungen, op. 37: Akt I: En grönskande sommaräng4:512Bergakungen, op. 37: Akt I: Intåget1:323Bergakungen, op. 37: Akt I: Första dansen1:514Bergakungen, op. 37: Akt I: Andra dansen2:115Bergakungen, op. 37: Akt I: Tredje dansen6:396Bergakungen, op. 37: Akt I: Sjöjungfrur och troll, första danse1:447Bergakungen, op. 37: Akt I: Sjöjungfrur och troll, andra danse2:518Bergakungen, op. 37: Akt I: Småtrollens dans1:169Bergakungen, op. 37: Akt I: Sjöjungfrur och troll, första danse (repris)2:4410Bergakungen, op. 37: Akt I: Vallflickan blåser i lur4:3111Bergakungen, op. 37: Akt I: Dans1:2212Bergakungen, op. 37: Akt I: Vallflickan och Humpe1:2913Bergakungen, op. 37: Akt I: Sommarregn2:4814Bergakungen, op. 37: Akt II: I skogen2:0615Bergakungen, op. 37: Akt II: Porten öppnas2:4016Bergakungen, op. 37: Akt II: Vallpojken och Humpe3:4717Bergakungen, op. 37: Akt II: Besvärjelse2:4318Bergakungen, op. 37: Akt III: I Bergakungens sal1:1319Bergakungen, op. 37: Akt III: Flickans första dans. Trollens jubel3:1320Bergakungen, op. 37: Akt III: Flickans andra dans2:1721Bergakungen, op. 37: Akt III: Vallflickans dans1:1322Bergakungen, op. 37: Akt III: Trollflickans dans5:0123Bergakungen, op. 37: Akt III: Trollens första dans4:1524Bergakungen, op. 37: Akt III: Trollens andra dans4:0425Bergakungen, op. 37: Akt III: Befrielsen. Vallflickans och vallpojkens dans6:1626Bergakungen, op. 37: Akt III: Snöstormen2:0427Bergakungen, op. 37: Akt III: Gryning2:12En skärgårdssägen, op. 20 / Symphony no. 4, op. 39 "Från havsbadet"
1991 · studio album
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Tracklist · 2 tracks · 1:04:21
1En skärgårdssägen (A Legend of the Skerries), op. 2016:352Symphony no. 4 in C minor, op. 39 "Från havsbandet"47:461993 · studio album
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Tracklist · 7 tracks · 1:12:25
1Paulinesisk procession20:032Under bron, under tiden17:133Energia I7:114Hjalmar Brantings sorgmarsch6:285Pianokonsert no. 3: Allegro moderato7:506Pianokonsert no. 3: Lento seriamente7:487Pianokonsert no. 3: Allegro con fuoco5:521993 · studio album
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Tracklist · 30 tracks · 1:14:02
1Hör I Orphei Drängar1:562Gryning vid havet3:573Papillon2:524Gustaf Frödings jordafärd3:425Berceuse2:556Roslagsvår1:427Sveriges flagga2:058Min kära2:099Serenad2:1810Natt2:0811Aftonen4:0312Vaggvisa3:0513Saa tag mit Hjerte3:1014I stilla timmar3:0715Sommardofter, op. 8 no. 23:0416Du är stilla ro3:5917Jag längtar dig1:0818Skogen sofver2:5219I månans skimmer2:1420Prövningen2:3521Glädjens blomster2:0122Värmlandsvisan1:5223Oxbergsmarschen1:5024Kulldansen1:0625Trindskallarna2:3726Vallgossens visa1:4427Anders, han var en hurtiger dräng1:3928Och jungfrun hon går i ringen1:1929Uti vår hage2:3630Stemning2:17Symphony no. 5 / Suite from "Bergakungen" / Elegy from "Gustav II Adolf"
1993 · studio album
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Tracklist · 9 tracks · 1:08:00
1Bergakungen (The Mountain King), op. 37: I. Besvärjelse (Invocation)4:082Bergakungen (The Mountain King), op. 37: II. Trollflickans dans (Sorceress's Dance)4:333Bergakungen (The Mountain King), op. 37: III. Sommarregn (Summer Rain)2:204Bergakungen (The Mountain King), op. 37: IV. Vallflickans dans (Herdmaiden's Dance)4:145Symphony no. 5 in A minor, op. 54: I. Lento - Allegro non troppo17:106Symphony no. 5 in A minor, op. 54: II. Andante7:167Symphony no. 5 in A minor, op. 54: III. Lento - Allegro - Presto molto agitato6:508Symphony no. 5 in A minor, op. 54: IV. Finale: Allegro con brio16:519Gustav II Adolf, op. 49: Elegy4:38Swedish Rhapsodies nos. 1-3 / A Legend of the Skerries / Elegy from the Gustav Adolf II Suite
1994 · studio album
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Tracklist · 5 tracks · 1:10:25
1Swedish Rhapsody no. 1, op. 19 "Midsommarvaka": Allegro moderato — Andante — Allegretto — Allegro con brio13:382Swedish Rhapsody no. 2, op. 24 "Uppsalarapsodi": Larghetto — Moderato10:483Swedish Rhapsody no. 3, op. 47 "Dalarapsodi": Andante — Allegretto21:584A Legend of the Skerries, op. 2018:285King Gustav Adolf II, op. 49: Elegy. Adagio5:331994 · studio album
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Tracklist · 15 tracks · 1:05:07
1Festspel5:462Midsommarvaka13:363Hugo Alfvén tackar orkestern0:264Bergakungen: Besvärjelse3:525Bergakungen: Trollflickans dans5:076Bergakungen: Sommarregn3:087Bergakungen: Vallflickans dans4:108Den förlorade sonen: Gånglåt från Leksand3:279Den förlorade sonen: Polska från Orsa1:2710Den förlorade sonen: Festmarsch2:1811Den förlorade sonen: Polketta2:2612Den förlorade sonen: Steklåt2:3713Den förlorade sonen: Polka från Roslagen2:2314Den förlorade sonen: Gösse Anders polska2:2715Intervju med Hugo Alfvén11:57Symphony no. 1 / Festival Overture / Uppsala Rhapsody / The Mountain King
1997 · studio album
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Tracklist · 10 tracks · 1:10:29
1Festspel, op. 255:312Suite From Bergakungen: Besvärjelse3:383Suite From Bergakungen: Trollflickans dans6:114Suite From Bergakungen: Sommarregn2:085Suite From Bergakungen: Vallflickans dans4:096Uppsalarapsodi, op. 24 (Svensk rapsodi no. 2)11:067Symphony no. 1 in F minor, op. 7: Grave. Allegro con brio13:178Symphony no. 1 in F minor, op. 7: Andante8:189Symphony no. 1 in F minor, op. 7: Allegro molto scherzando6:5310Symphony no. 1 in F minor, op. 7: Allegro ma non troppo9:181999 · studio album
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Tracklist · 8 tracks · 1:00:01
1Vid Sekelskiftet, Op. 12: I. Livets valde5:052Vid Sekelskiftet, Op. 12: II. Seklens fard2:073Vid Sekelskiftet, Op. 12: III. Varldarnas offer6:474Vid Sekelskiftet, Op. 12: IV. Slutkor3:425Kantat vid Reformationsfesten I Uppsala 1917, Op. 36: I. Av djupsens nod, o Gud… Andante, quasi adagio12:176Kantat vid Reformationsfesten I Uppsala 1917, Op. 36: II. Var man ma nu val gladja sig… Allegretto8:537Kantat vid Reformationsfesten I Uppsala 1917, Op. 36: III. Luthers hammare11:568Klockorna, Op. 13: Moderato9:14Symphony no. 3 / Legend of the Skerries / Dalecarlian Rhapsody
1999 · studio album
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Tracklist · 6 tracks · 1:18:43
1Dalarapsodi, op. 47 (Svensk rapsodi nr. 3)24:552En skärgårdssägen, op. 2018:213Symphony no. 3 in E major, op. 23: I. Allegro con brio8:024Symphony no. 3 in E major, op. 23: II. Andante10:395Symphony no. 3 in E major, op. 23: III. Presto7:366Symphony no. 3 in E major, op. 23: IV. Allegro con brio9:102000 · studio album
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Tracklist · 12 tracks · 48:40
1Tre körvisor: I. September2:032Tre körvisor: II. I Seraillets Have2:053Tre körvisor: III. Havde jeg, o havde jeg en Dattersøn1:224Kung Liljekonvalje3:345Förvårskväll4:256Aftonen3:567Uti vår hage2:258Min Yndlingsdal3:589Två Körpoem: I. Anrop3:0010Två Körpoem: II. Två japanska landskap5:0011Canzone 126 di Petrarca10:3312O Crux6:19Song of Freedom and other choir pieces
2000 · studio album
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Tracklist · 24 tracks · 49:54
1Oxbergsmarschen1:442Vaggvisa2:413Midsommarlåt i Leksand2:444Limu, limu, lima1:275Uti vår hage2:456Aftonen3:567Frihetssång1:338Trindskallar2:229Inga liten kvarnpiga2:2910Herr Peder och liten Kerstin2:0711Papillon2:3112Som stjärnan uppå himmelen1:4413Maj1:4814Stämning1:5315Sveriges flagga2:1416Glädjens blomster1:0617Anders har var en hurtiger dräng1:3318Kosackvaggvisa2:1919Och hör du unga Dora1:4820Tjuv och tjuv ska du heta1:3621Dalvisa2:0622Julsång2:5823Å inte vill jag sörja1:0924Och jungfrun hon går i ringen1:212001 · studio album
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Tracklist · 9 tracks · 1:13:58
1Festival Overture5:312Midsummer Vigil14:223Uppsala Rhapsody10:574Dalecarlian Rhapsody24:505Polka from the Prodigal Son2:136Suite from Bergakungen: Invocation3:397Suite from Bergakungen: Dance of the Troll Maiden6:118Suite from Bergakungen: Summer Rain2:089Suite from Bergakungen: Dance of the Shepherd Girl4:07Symphony no. 2 in D major, op. 11 / The Prodigal Son (Suite from the Ballet)
2001 · studio album
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Tracklist · 12 tracks · 1:13:00
1The Prodigal Son, Orchestral Suite: Moderato3:442The Prodigal Son, Orchestral Suite: []2:173The Prodigal Son, Orchestral Suite: Drottningens av Saba festmarsch. Allegro maestoso2:234The Prodigal Son, Orchestral Suite: Polketta: Tempo di polketta2:545The Prodigal Son, Orchestral Suite: Steklät: Allegretto2:456The Prodigal Son, Orchestral Suite: Polka2:137The Prodigal Son, Orchestral Suite: Final: Polska2:518Symphony no. 2 in D major, op. 11: I. Moderato12:099Symphony no. 2 in D major, op. 11: II. Andante18:3010Symphony no. 2 in D major, op. 11: III. Allegro5:5411Symphony no. 2 in D major, op. 11: IVa. Preludio: Adagio7:1312Symphony no. 2 in D major, op. 11: IVb. Fuga: Allegro energico10:072003 · studio album
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Tracklist · 9 tracks · 49:35
1Revelation Cantata, op. 31: Prelude5:032Revelation Cantata, op. 31: First Movement12:003Revelation Cantata, op. 31: Second Movement3:554Revelation Cantata, op. 31: Third Movement3:435Cantata for the 450th Anniversary of Uppsala University, op. 45: I. Chorus6:306Cantata for the 450th Anniversary of Uppsala University, op. 45: II. Solo4:197Cantata for the 450th Anniversary of Uppsala University, op. 45: III. Chorus4:028Cantata for the 450th Anniversary of Uppsala University, op. 45: IV. Solo3:249Cantata for the 450th Anniversary of Uppsala University, op. 45: V. Chorus6:39Symphony no. 4 "From the Outermost Skerries"
2005 · studio album
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Tracklist · 5 tracks · 58:12
1Symphony no. 4 "From the Outermost Skerries", op. 39: Moderato - Allegretto, ma non troppo11:042Symphony no. 4 "From the Outermost Skerries", op. 39: Allegro - Moderato - Allegro5:013Symphony no. 4 "From the Outermost Skerries", op. 39: Lento - Maestoso - Molto appassionato19:134Symphony no. 4 "From the Outermost Skerries", op. 39: Allegro agitato12:505Festival Overture, op. 5210:04Symphony no. 5 / Andante religioso
2007 · studio album
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Tracklist · 5 tracks · 57:46
1Symphony no. 5 in A minor, op. 54: I. Lento - Allegro non troppo19:462Symphony no. 5 in A minor, op. 54: II. Andante8:263Symphony no. 5 in A minor, op. 54: III. Lento - Allegro - Presto molto agitato7:454Symphony no. 5 in A minor, op. 54: IV. Finale: Allegro con brio18:065Revelation Cantata, op. 31: Andante religioso3:43Synnøve of Solbakken (Suite) / A Country Tale (Suite) / Élégie
2007 · studio album
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Tracklist · 13 tracks · 1:13:11
1Synnøve Solbakken, op. 50: Söndagsmorgon i skogen2:502Synnøve Solbakken, op. 50: Ung kärlek - Synnøve på sättern8:443Synnøve Solbakken, op. 50: Hjärtesorg - Pastoral4:554Synnøve Solbakken, op. 50: Torbjörn och Synnøve3:305Synnøve Solbakken, op. 50: Längtan4:206Synnøve Solbakken, op. 50: I Solbakken3:327En bygdesaga, op. 53: Introduktion2:598En bygdesaga, op. 53: Drömmeri7:439En bygdesaga, op. 53: Brottligs kärlek - Angest9:0510En bygdesaga, op. 53: Svartsjuka - Pastoral4:0611En bygdesaga, op. 53: Sorgetaget5:3212En bygdesaga, op. 53: "Vargaskall"3:4813Élégie (at Emil Sjögren's Funeral), op. 3812:07Sibelius: Finlandia / Grieg: Peer Gynt Suite No. 1 / Alfven: Swedish Rhapsody No. 1
2011 · studio album
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Tracklist · 9 tracks · 1:08:46
1Peer Gynt Suite no. 1: I. Morning Mood4:012Peer Gynt Suite no. 1: II. Ase's Death5:003Peer Gynt Suite no. 1: III. Anitra's Dance3:444Peer Gynt Suite no. 1: IV. In the Hall of the Mountain King2:595Valse Triste from Kuolema, op. 44, no. 14:586Swedish Rhapsody no. 1, op. 19 "Midsommarvaka"12:407Finlandia, op. 268:298The Swan of Tuonela - Legend from the Lemminkainen Suite, op. 22 no. 39:589En Saga, op. 916:57Symphony no. 1 / Drapa / Midsommarvaka
2018 · studio album
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Tracklist · 6 tracks · 1:03:31
1Symphony no. 1, op. 7 in F minor: Grave. Allegro con brio15:312Symphony no. 1, op. 7 in F minor: Andante7:553Symphony no. 1, op. 7 in F minor: Allegro, molto scherzando7:514Symphony no. 1, op. 7 in F minor: Allegro ma non troppo9:175Drapa, op. 2710:586Midsommarvaka, op. 1911:59Symphony no. 3 / Uppsala Rhapsody / The Mountain King Suite
2019 · studio album
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Tracklist · 9 tracks · 1:04:59
1Bergakungen orkestersvit, op. 37: Besvärjelse3:162Bergakungen orkestersvit, op. 37: Trollflickans4:463Bergakungen orkestersvit, op. 37: Sommarregn2:204Bergakungen orkestersvit, op. 37: Vallflickans4:235Symphony no. 3, op. 23 in E major: Allegro con brio10:496Symphony no. 3, op. 23 in E major: Andante10:237Symphony no. 3, op. 23 in E major: Presto8:368Symphony no. 3, op. 23 in E major: Allegro con brio9:419Uppsala Rhapsody, op. 2410:45At Home with Hugo Alfvén: Songs and Piano Pieces
2022 · studio album
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Tracklist · 21 tracks · 1:07:07
1Aftonen3:362Sju dikter av Ernest Thiel, op. 28: 1. Djupt hos friborna människor bor1:483Sju dikter av Ernest Thiel, op. 28: 2. En enda vart mitt hjärta givet2:224Sju dikter av Ernest Thiel, op. 28: 3. Jag kysser din vita hand5:055Sju dikter av Ernest Thiel, op. 28: 4. Du är stilla ro2:536Sju dikter av Ernest Thiel, op. 28: 5. Jag längtar dig1:087Sju dikter av Ernest Thiel, op. 28: 6. Skogen sover2:598Sju dikter av Ernest Thiel, op. 28: 7. Se, du kom med jubel och sång i hågen1:479Fyra låtar från Leksand: Gånglåt2:5710Fyra låtar från Leksand: Dans2:4611Fyra låtar från Leksand: Skänklåt1:4012Fyra låtar från Leksand: Danslek3:5413Tre Österlingsånger, op. 22: 1. Bön3:0914Tre Österlingsånger, op. 22: 2. Pioner3:1815Tre Österlingsånger, op. 22: 3. Minnesskrift4:1216Skärgårdsbilder, op. 17: 1. Solglitter3:2617Skärgårdsbilder, op. 17: 2. Natt5:2618Skärgårdsbilder, op. 17: 3. Böljesång4:0819Tvenne lyriska stämningar, op. 8: 1. Svarta rosor4:1820Tvenne lyriska stämningar, op. 8: 2. Sommardofter2:4521Så tag mit hjerte3:30Symphony no. 2 / Svensk Rhapsodi no. 3
2022 · studio album
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Tracklist · 8 tracks · 1:16:44
1Symphony no. 2 in D major, op. 11: Moderato12:102Symphony no. 2 in D major, op. 11: Andante16:133Symphony no. 2 in D major, op. 11: Allegro6:434Symphony no. 2 in D major, op. 11: Preludio. Adagio6:535Symphony no. 2 in D major, op. 11: Fuga. Allegro energico10:006Swedish Rhapsody no. 3, op. 47: Andante15:407Swedish Rhapsody no. 3, op. 47: Allegro violento5:518Swedish Rhapsody no. 3, op. 47: Allegro violento (alternative ending)3:14Piano Concerto in A minor (and Other Scandinavian Favourites)
— · studio album
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Tracklist · 3 tracks · 49:14
1Midsommarvaka (Svensk rapsodi nr. 1)12:332Finlandia, symfonisk dikt, op. 268:063Pianokonsert i A-moll, op. 1628:35
Album · 5
| Cover | Year | Title | Notes | First release |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Symphony no. 1 / A Legend of the SkerriesSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 5 tracks · 54:001Symfoni nr 1 f-moll, op. 7: Grave12:19 2Symfoni nr 1 f-moll, op. 7: Andante8:05 3Symfoni nr 1 f-moll, op. 7: Allegro molto scherzando5:40 4Symfoni nr 1 f-moll, op. 7: Allegro, ma non troppo9:25 5En skärgårdssägen, op. 2018:31 | Compilation | 1986 | |
| 1995 | The Three Swedish Rhapsodies / En Skärgårdssägen / Suite form 'Bergakungen'Search SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 8 tracks · 1:17:001Midsommarvaka, op. 1913:40 2Upsala-rapsodi, op. 2410:02 3Dalarapsodi, op. 4721:36 4En Skärgårdssägen, op. 2016:19 5Suite from 'Bergakungen': I. Besvärjelse4:07 6Suite from 'Bergakungen': II. Trollflickans dans4:34 7Suite from 'Bergakungen': III. Sommarregn2:20 8Suite from 'Bergakungen': IV. Vallflickans dans4:22 | Compilation | April 1995 | |
| 2004 | The Symphonies and RhapsodiesSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 36 tracks · 5:44:13Disc 1 1Uppsalarapsodi (Swedish Rhapsody no. 2), op. 2410:09 2Symphony no. 1 in F minor, op. 7: I. Grave — Allegro con brio14:23 3Symphony no. 1 in F minor, op. 7: II. Andante8:12 4Symphony no. 1 in F minor, op. 7: III. Allegro, molto scherzando8:29 5Symphony no. 1 in F minor, op. 7: IV. Allegro, ma non troppo9:52 6Drapa, op. 2710:40 7Revelation Cantata, op. 31: Andante religioso4:04 Disc 21Midsommarvaka (Swedish Rhapsody no. 1), op. 1913:45 2Symphony no. 2 in D major, op. 11: I. Moderato14:51 3Symphony no. 2 in D major, op. 11: II. Andante12:20 4Symphony no. 2 in D major, op. 11: III. Allegro9:38 5Symphony no. 2 in D major, op. 11: IV. Preludio: Adagio6:19 6Symphony no. 2 in D major, op. 11: Fuga: Allegro energico10:40 Disc 31Dalarapsodi (Swedish Rhapsody no. 3), op. 4721:40 2Symphony no. 3 in E major, op. 23: I. Allegro con brio10:25 3Symphony no. 3 in E major, op. 23: II. Andante9:50 4Symphony no. 3 in E major, op. 23: III. Presto8:23 5Symphony no. 3 in E major, op. 23: IV. Allegro con brio9:20 6Den förlorade sonen (The Prodigal Son): I. Gånglåt från Leksand. Moderato / Sonens gånglåt. Più allegro4:10 7Den förlorade sonen (The Prodigal Son): II. Polska från Orsa1:34 8Den förlorade sonen (The Prodigal Son): III. Drottningens av Saba festmarsch. Allegro maestoso2:21 9Den förlorade sonen (The Prodigal Son): IV. Polketta. Tempo di polketta2:40 10Den förlorade sonen (The Prodigal Son): V. Steklåt. Allegretto2:39 11Den förlorade sonen (The Prodigal Son): VI. Polka2:25 12Den förlorade sonen (The Prodigal Son): VII. Final. Polska3:03 Disc 41En skärgårdssägen (A Legend of the Skerries), op. 2016:35 2Symphony no. 4 in C minor, op. 39 “Från havsbandet”47:46 Disc 51Bergakungen (The Mountain King), Suite, op. 37: I. Besvärjelse4:08 2Bergakungen (The Mountain King), Suite, op. 37: II. Trollflickans dans4:33 3Bergakungen (The Mountain King), Suite, op. 37: III. Sommarregn2:20 4Bergakungen (The Mountain King), Suite, op. 37: IV. Vallflickans dans4:14 5Symphony no. 5 in A minor, op. 54: I. Lento — Allegro non troppo17:10 6Symphony no. 5 in A minor, op. 54: II. Andante7:16 7Symphony no. 5 in A minor, op. 54: III. Lento — Allegro — Presto molto agitato6:50 8Symphony no. 5 in A minor, op. 54: IV. Finale: Allegro con brio16:51 9Elegy From “Gustav II Adolf”, op. 494:38 | Compilation | September 2004 | |
| 2022 | Complete Symphonies / Suites / RhapsodiesSearch SpotifySearch YouTube Music | Compilation | November 2022 | |
| — | Grieg / Larsson / AlfvénSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 12 tracks · 59:411Swedish Rhapsody no. 1, op. 19 “Midsummer Vigil”13:39 2Pastoral Suite: Overture – Adagio5:14 3Pastoral Suite: Romance – Adagio5:31 4Pastoral Suite: Scherzo – Vivace3:49 5Peer Gynt Suite no. 1, op. 46: Morning Mood3:53 6Peer Gynt Suite no. 1, op. 46: Aase’s Death4:32 7Peer Gynt Suite no. 1, op. 46: Anitra’s Dance3:30 8Peer Gynt Suite no. 1, op. 46: In the Hall of the Mountain King2:20 9Peer Gynt Suite no. 2, op. 55: Ingrid’s Lament4:35 10Peer Gynt Suite no. 2, op. 55: Arabian Dance4:28 11Peer Gynt Suite no. 2, op. 55: Peer Gynt’s Homecoming3:41 12Peer Gynt Suite no. 2, op. 55: Solveig’s Song4:29 | Compilation | — |
Stats & PK
Percentile within all 23,672 published artists.Put Hugo Alfvén head-to-head →
| Metric | Value | Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Wikipedia language versions | 32 | 91.5th |
| Spotify monthly listeners | — | no data |
| Release groups in DB | 37 | 92.1th |
| Studio albums | 32 | 98.4th |
| Awards recorded | 4 | 96.3th |
| Timeline events | 36 | 97.7th |
| Recording span (years) | -7 | 8.9th |
| Genres | 6 | 91th |
Awards & honours
| Year | Award | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1916 | Litteris et Artibus | won | |
| 1946 | Zorn badge in gold | won | |
| — | Order of the Dannebrog | won | |
| — | director musices | won |
Where this record comes from
portrait—Wikimedia Commons · Public domain · retrieved 11 October 2026
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hugo_Alfv%C3%A9n_ca_1906.pngaliases/urls—musicbrainz · CC0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://musicbrainz.org/artist/ad65ae55-a3c3-4e49-b7fd-93525462f892discography—musicbrainz · CC0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://musicbrainz.org/artist/ad65ae55-a3c3-4e49-b7fd-93525462f892core—wikidata · CC0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q318840genre—wikidata · CC0 · retrieved 11 October 2026
https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q318840seed-list—wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugo_Alfv%C3%A9nbiography—wikipedia-en · CC BY-SA 4.0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugo_Alfv%C3%A9nbiography—wikipedia-sv · CC BY-SA 4.0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugo_Alfv%C3%A9n
Why this artist is in the database
- List of composers by name
- List of Swedish musicians
Tier rule: historic figure (32 language versions, career ended)
Image: Unknown author Unknown author · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Wikidata: Q318840 · MusicBrainz: ad65ae55-a3c3-4e49-b7fd-93525462f892
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