Having recently listened to four other cantatas from Hugo Alfvén on Sterling Records, The Lord's Prayer definitely stands out as something different, and all to the better.
The others were occasional pieces, celebrating this or that event, cementing Alfvén as a go-to composer around Sweden. A man has got to make money after all...
Those other cantatas are generally swollen in festivities and grand gestures. While I won't say such things don't appear here, by and large, beautiful lyricism is foremost in The Lord's Prayer. Alfvén doesn't even touch an Allegro tempo until the seventh part (out of eight).
Luckily, each of the eight movements are characterful enough to not tire the listener with an overriding sense of sameness, the orchestra adding quite a bit of color throughout. Plus, Alfvén employs a quartet of soloists who intermingle with the chorus every other section or so. The chorus receives the lion share of the singing however, and it is only in Alfvén's contrapuntal and fugal settings where he is a little dusty and academic. Otherwise, this is beautiful Swedish choral music, sung by the home team.
Performance wise, what I really enjoy are the astoundingly suave-sounding choirs. Whereas on Sterling, the choral sound was nigh-upon operatic, or perhaps symphonic is the more appropriate descriptor, here Sjökvist calls upon the Stockholm Motet Choir and Storkyrkans Choir. These groups have an absolutely lovely sound, much more given over to a warm, lush musicality, terrific ensemble balance, and a beautiful technique.
I am not familiar with the Bluebell music label, but they balance the choir as if it is the most important focus of the music, another difference between the other cantata recordings. This gives the orchestra a little less presence and personality than is typical, but I appreciate the contrast.
Maybe only due to contrast, I am rather enthusiastic regarding The Lord's Prayer. Of course, the biggest issue is this cantata covers only 45 minutes in length on its own, with no other music paired to it. Still, this is a fine traversal, and perhaps its only recording, so my nitpickery is relegated to the background for now.
Work
The Lord's Prayer
Soloists
Iwa Sörenson, soprano
Birgitta Svendén, mezzo-soprano
Christer Solén, tenor
Rolf Leanderson, baritone
Ensembles
Storkyrkan Choir
Stockholm Motet Choir
Norrköping Symphony Orchestra
Gustaf Sjökvist, conductor
Label: Bluebell
Year: 1982; 1989
Timing: 44.24
Perhaps my enthusiasm will wane over time, once I move away from the music of Hugo Alfvén.
For now, though, I really enjoyed my time with this cantata, doubled down by the fine choral singing on hand.
If only there were more!
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