Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of Swedish composer Hugo Alfvén with his masterful work "Bergakungen / The Mountain King." Released on March 1, 2012, under the Musica Sveciae label, this album is a captivating journey through a rich tapestry of orchestral and choral compositions that bring to life the timeless tale of the Mountain King.
Spanning a duration of 1 hour and 18 minutes, the album is a comprehensive exploration of Alfvén's Op. 37, divided into three acts and numerous scenes. Each track is a vivid portrayal of the story's characters and events, from the playful dances of the herdsboy and herdsmaid to the eerie encounters with sea maidens and trolls. The music is a blend of lyrical melodies, rhythmic dances, and dramatic interludes, showcasing Alfvén's mastery of orchestration and his deep connection to Swedish folklore.
The album opens with the lively "Vallpojken och vallflickan" and progresses through a series of dances and scenes that build the narrative. Highlights include the haunting "Sjojungfrur och troll" dances, the intense "Besvarjelse" (Invocation), and the climactic "Frihet" (Liberation). The final tracks, "Snostormen" (The Snowstorm) and "Gryning" (Dawn), provide a dramatic and satisfying conclusion to the story.
Hugo Alfvén's "Bergakungen / The Mountain King" is not just a collection of musical pieces but a fully realized narrative experience. The album's rich orchestration and vivid storytelling make it a standout work in Alfvén's repertoire and a must-listen for fans of classical music and Scandinavian folklore.
2012 Musica Sveciae2012 Musica Sveciae
Tracks
Bergakungen (the Mountain King), Op. 37, Act I Scene 1: Vallpojken och vallflickan [the herdsboy and the herdsmaid]Hugo Alfvén, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Yevgeny Svetlanov
Bergakungen (the Mountain King), Op. 37, Act I Scene 1: Intaget [the gathering]Hugo Alfvén, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Yevgeny Svetlanov
Bergakungen (the Mountain King), Op. 37, Act I Scene 1: Forsta dansen [the first dance]Hugo Alfvén, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Yevgeny Svetlanov
Bergakungen (the Mountain King), Op. 37, Act I Scene 1: Andra dansen [the second dance]Hugo Alfvén, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Yevgeny Svetlanov
Bergakungen (the Mountain King), Op. 37, Act I Scene 1: Tredje dansen [the third dance]Hugo Alfvén, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Yevgeny Svetlanov
Bergakungen (the Mountain King), Op. 37, Act I Scene 2: Sjojungfrur och troll, forsta danse [Sea maidens and trolls, the first dance]Hugo Alfvén, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Yevgeny Svetlanov
Bergakungen (the Mountain King), Op. 37, Act I Scene 2: Sjojungfrur och troll, andra danse [Sea maidens and trolls, the second dance]Hugo Alfvén, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Yevgeny Svetlanov
Bergakungen (the Mountain King), Op. 37, Act I Scene 2: Dans [Dance]Hugo Alfvén, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Yevgeny Svetlanov
Bergakungen (the Mountain King), Op. 37, Act I Scene 2: Sjojungfrur och troll, forsta danse [Sea maidens and trolls, the first dance] [reprise]Hugo Alfvén, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Yevgeny Svetlanov
Bergakungen (the Mountain King), Op. 37, Act I Scene 2: Vallflickan ensam [the herdsmaid alone]Hugo Alfvén, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Yevgeny Svetlanov
Bergakungen (the Mountain King), Op. 37, Act I Scene 2: Dans [Dance]Hugo Alfvén, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Yevgeny Svetlanov
Bergakungen (the Mountain King), Op. 37, Act I Scene 2: Vallflickan moter Humpe [the herdsmaid meets Humpe]Hugo Alfvén, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Yevgeny Svetlanov
Bergakungen (the Mountain King), Op. 37, Act I Scene 2: Sommarregn [Summer rain]Hugo Alfvén, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Yevgeny Svetlanov
Bergakungen (the Mountain King), Op. 37, Act II: Vallflickoch och Humpe [Hersmaid and Humpe]Hugo Alfvén, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Yevgeny Svetlanov
Bergakungen (the Mountain King), Op. 37, Act II: Porten oppnar sig [the gate opens]Hugo Alfvén, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Yevgeny Svetlanov
Bergakungen (the Mountain King), Op. 37, Act II: Vallpojken och Humpe [the herdboy and Humpe]Hugo Alfvén, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Yevgeny Svetlanov
Bergakungen (the Mountain King), Op. 37, Act II: Besvarjelse [Invocation]Hugo Alfvén, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Yevgeny Svetlanov
Bergakungen (the Mountain King), Op. 37, Act III Scene 1: I Bergakungens sal [In the hall of the Mountain King]Hugo Alfvén, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Yevgeny Svetlanov
Bergakungen (the Mountain King), Op. 37, Act III Scene 1: Vallflickan dansar for trollen [Hersmaid dances for the trolls]Hugo Alfvén, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Yevgeny Svetlanov
Bergakungen (the Mountain King), Op. 37, Act III Scene 1: Vallflickan dansar for Bergakungen [Hersmaid dances for the Mountain King]Hugo Alfvén, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Yevgeny Svetlanov
Bergakungen (the Mountain King), Op. 37, Act III Scene 1: Vallflickans dans [the hersmaid's dances]Hugo Alfvén, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Yevgeny Svetlanov
Bergakungen (the Mountain King), Op. 37, Act III Scene 1: Trollflickans dans [the dance of the troll madien]Hugo Alfvén, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Yevgeny Svetlanov
Bergakungen (the Mountain King), Op. 37, Act III Scene 1: Trollens forsta dans [the first dance of the trolls]Hugo Alfvén, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Yevgeny Svetlanov
Bergakungen (the Mountain King), Op. 37, Act III Scene 1: Trollens andra dans [the second dance of the trolls]Hugo Alfvén, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Yevgeny Svetlanov
Bergakungen (the Mountain King), Op. 37, Act III Scene 1: Frihet [Liberation]Hugo Alfvén, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Yevgeny Svetlanov
Bergakungen (the Mountain King), Op. 37, Act III Scene 2: Snostormen [the snowstorm]Hugo Alfvén, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Yevgeny Svetlanov
Bergakungen (the Mountain King), Op. 37, Act III Scene 2: Gryning [Dawn]Hugo Alfvén, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Yevgeny Svetlanov
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