Actually, yes. I remember a CD I had of the Alpine Symphony (BLOG) by Richard Strauss, and it came on a single track. So much for finding a particular portion you like across its 50-minute runtime.
This recording of Hugo Alfvén's Symphony no. 4 in C minor also comes on one track. I understand the symphony is in one continuous movement, but even the liner notes and tracklist acknowledge there are smaller sections within the 45-to-50 minute symphony. Oh well...
Because of my general distaste for late-Romanticism, I would probably write off this Fourth Symphony from Alfvén altogether. But for one reason, I still keep with this work - the element of voice. I understand this element is one which will irk many symphony listeners, for voice is an acquired taste to those who prefer instrumental and orchestral sounds. Without voice, though, this would be one long tribute to the late-Romantic style of Richard Strauss and Richard Wagner.
Solo voice isn't used in a Mahler-ian sense here, however. Instead, Alfvén deploys the voice in a non-lexical manner, akin to Carl Nielsen's Symphony no. 3, who uses a soprano and baritone in its second movement. Depending on how the vocal sound is engineered, the singing contribution could easily be heard as an instrumental texture, although I generally find the voices too forward, as if the music were a vocal concerto.
In this Alfvén symphony, the voices are not continuous, allowing for plenty of orchestral-only explorations, but the two singers pop up from time to time, each on their own, and occasionally coming together for enraptured drama. The subtitle, 'From the Outermost Skerries', provides a loose program surrounding the voices as possible characters, so there is a method to their inclusion.
The orchestral colors are rather intriguing as well, almost approaching a French sound at times. Plus, the composer adds a piano for an added texture to the harp, not to mention a hearty eight French Horns, who provide a dreamy foundation. Indeed, much of the work is rather atmospheric and airy, which is why I mention the voice as a hook for me. Otherwise, my mind would wander and my patience tested amongst the floating musical motions.
Such is the case for the Legend of the Skerries as well, a 16-minute tone poem, and an apt pairing to Symphony no. 4. It too is more atmospheric in its mood, although there are some welcome brass portents and recognizable thematic material to pull in the listener.
I don't know if either of these orchestral works would be favorites of mine, especially coming from Alfvén's tightly structured and joyous Symphony no. 3, but I think there is enough room in my heart to keep this music afloat in my mind and visit it again with pleasure.
Works
Symphony 4 in C minor (47.21)
Legend of the Skerries (16.11)
Soloists
Christina Högman, soprano
Claes-Håkan Ahnsjö, tenor
Per Olof Gillblad, English Horn
Karl-Ove Mannberg, violin
Elemér Lavotha, cello
Lucia Negro, piano
Performers
Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra
Neeme Järvi, conductor
Label: BIS
Year: 1990; 2004
Total Timing: 64.19
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