For a celebratory cantata, At the Turn of the Century starts on a grim, imperious note. Perhaps it is sweeping away the sour notes of one era while beginning fresh upon a new one.
The work is divided into four rather different parts. I mentioned the grim opening, which is followed by a grand, fanfare-laden, flag-waving chorus, one which probably wouldn't find much footing outside of Sweden.
The final two movements are my favorite, the third lifted up by the beautiful singing of Swedish soprano Lena Hoel. The liner notes mention how contemporaneous reviews were fond of the second chorus, but less enthusiastic regarding the final one. My opinion lays on the reverse, where there is much more harmonic and rhythmic interest in the final chorus, whereas the second movement is too rah-rah, blah-blah-blah.
I feel much the same regarding the other choral work, the Cantata for the 1917 Reformation Festivities in Uppsala. Hugo Alfvén composes an opening fugue which sounds rather dustily academic, despite the composer's excitement at the proposition of writing the older form for his University.
However, once that has passed, the remaining parts of the 30-minute cantata are sometimes fiery, other times lovely, especially the fine baritone solo from Karl-Magnus Fredriksson. The last movement stirs up familiar Reformation hymn melodies, leaving no question as to the subject material of this cantata, and does so in rousing fashion too.
The final piece is a cantata for solo baritone and orchestra only; no chorus is on hand. While the title The Bells might insinuate another Edgar Allan Poe setting, this one doesn't not cover the American poet's ground, opting for regional verse instead. Alfvén certainly isn't afraid to add color through pitched percussion, including piano. Fredriksson's baritone is wonderful once again, traversing the pastoral and festive moods with great drama.
Swedish composer Hugo Alfvén is no stranger to choral music, but this selection of orchestrated choral music is quite the rarity. This performance from the Gävle Symphony Orchestra with the Royal Philharmonic Choir of Stockholm is strong enough, led by the chorus master Stefan Parkman, yet it is the two soloists who steal the show in their short appearances. While the physical media includes song texts and translations, I didn't find them of much interest.
In the end, this is not essential music from Alfvén, but I can't imagine anyone walking away from this recording disappointed by the performances or music.
Works
At the Turn of the Century, op. 12 (17.33)
Cantata for the 1917 Reformation Festivities, op. 36 (32.58)
The Bells, op. 13 (9.13)
Soloists
Lena Hoel, soprano
Karl-Magnus Fredriksson, baritone
Performers
Royal Philharmonic Choir of Stockholm
Gävle Symphony Orchestra
Stefan Parkman, conductor
Label: Sterling
Year: 2000
Total Timing: 60.00
Not the first place I would direct listeners interested in exploring the music of Hugo Alfvén.
Yet, if you enjoy choral music, I think there should be enough here to please. This is certainly not music one hears everyday.
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