Hugo Alfven's Stugan

[lunar22]

Just a quick addendum -- I briefly wondered whether I had done the "Prodigal Son" an injustice but listening to it again, if anything it's even more insipid than my memory and only confirms the widespread critical opinion that Alfven, unlike many other composers, became increasingly routine as he got older. I know the 4th symphony (nothing like as late as PS)is one that seems quite controversial as it often seems rather liked in English speaking countries and certainly has its own atmosphere -- nevertheless the very distinctively Swedish fieriness and passion, so present in many of his earlier works, is rather missing even by this stage and the work has a few less than inspired sections.

Incidentally, some of Alfven's programme music, and particularly the Dalarapsodi is indeed passionate and invigorating so I don't dislike all his lighter stuff.