NEW ON NAXOS | NOVEMBER 2022
Hugo ALFVÉN (1872–1960) Complete Symphonies Suites • Rhapsodies
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Royal Scottish National Orchestra • National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland Iceland Symphony Orchestra • Norrköping Symphony Orchestra • Niklas Willén
Hugo Alfvén’s music has always been close to the hearts of the Swedish people, and ranks among some of the most significant and representative of the spirit of the country. Alfvén is known as a cheerful entertainer in compositions such as Den förlorade sonen (‘The Prodigal Son’), but his symphonies reveal a different, more elegiac and often more dramatic side. The success of Alfvén’s symphonies fundamentally changed Sweden’s musical climate and, with a substantial collection of further orchestral music representing his gloriously rich and varied style, these recordings sweep us into the remarkable world of Scandinavian landscape and culture.
WHAT’S INSIDE THE BOX
DISC 1 ‘Niklas Willén and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra give it their all, and if one doesn’t expect something more substantial, it does its job.’ – Classical Candor DISC 2 ‘Ireland’s NSO gives superlative performances … These works come to life in Willén’s hands.’ – ClassicsToday.com DISC 3 ‘The sensitive, well-prepared performances under Niklas Willén also serve these symphonies well.’ – The Penguin Guide DISC 4 ‘Willén treats the Fourth Symphony more as a symphonic poem than a symphony. His approach is soft-edged, impressionist, and blended. He digs into the music.’ – American Record Guide
DISC 5 ‘Willén and the Norrköping Symphony Orchestra turn in a marvellous performance.’ – Limelight DISC 6 ‘If you are not familiar with Alfvén, this release is as good a place as any to whet your appetite. Performances and recording are exemplary. Highly recommended.’ – Fanfare
HUGO ALFVÉN 150 YEARS
8.507015 [7 Discs] Release Date: 25 Nov 2022 Companion Titles – Swedish Orchestral Music 8.553051 | 8.553052 | 8.555370 8.553888 | 8.572186 | 8.572259
‘This is a beguiling collection, and it shouldn’t matter if you already have a recording of the Midsommarkava: this extremely rambunctious one (with a soulful, lyric central section) will give another compelling view.’ – ClassicsToday.com
BONUS DISC
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Jean SIBELIUS (1865–1957) The Tempest Incidental music to Shakespeare’s play for soloists, chorus and orchestra The Royal Danish Opera • Soloists from the Royal Danish Opera The Royal Danish Opera Chorus • The Royal Danish Orchestra • Okko Kamu
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Symphonic in scale and ambition, the incidental music to Shakespeare’s play The Tempest was among the last orchestral works Sibelius composed before entering the mysterious ‘silence of Järvenpää’ that lasted until his death. Commissioned by leading Danish theatre producer Johannes Poulsen in 1925, the wide expressive demands of the play saw Sibelius calling on large musical forces. From the terrifying tone picture of the opening shipwreck via ethereal songs, boisterous character portraits and remarkable evocations of nature, Sibelius took full advantage of being set free to convert the themes of Shakespeare’s magical world into his own unique sound. Key Feature: Famous for his symphonies and orchestral hits such as Finlandia , Jean Sibelius is less well-known for his substantial body of music for the theatre, a gap in the record catalogues that we have to a large extent filled with the award-winning Naxos edition of his Incidental Music (8.506032).
8.574419 Release Date: 25 Nov 2022 Companion Titles – Jean Sibelius, Composer 8.506032 | 8.572305 | 8.572704 8.572227 | 8.572705
Click to listen to Act IV, Scene 7 – Dance of the Naiads
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Antonín DVOŘÁK (1841–1904) Greatest Melodies Arranged and performed by Peter Breiner, Piano
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Antonín Dvořák’s gift for melody was apparent as soon as he began writing music, and this naturally tuneful inspiration has long captured the imagination of arrangers. An expert in arranging for both orchestra and piano, Peter Breiner has selected 33 melodies in simple yet revealing piano reductions that give the listener an opportunity to journey with Dvořák through his career in Prague and ultimately overseas to America. This carefully curated programme also brings moods ranging from rustic celebration to nostalgic melancholy, and from traditional Czech dumka dances to the famous Song to the Moon , Dvořák’s most prized operatic aria. Key Features: • This release will be a welcome addition to the many collectors who bought Peter Breiner’s Calm Romantic Piano Music in which beguiling original pieces sit alongside serenely beautiful new arrangements drawn from the classical repertoire. In focussing on one composer with whom he has a particular affinity, Breiner has taken the opportunity to provide an overview of Dvořák’s entire career. • The name Peter Breiner could easily be synonymous with the term commercial success in the music world, with over 200 albums to his name as composer, arranger and conductor. His most acclaimed recordings with Naxos include the bestselling Beatles Go Baroque (8.555010) which represents some of his commercially most successful Baroque arrangements. Beatles Go Baroque Vol. 2 (8.574078) was released in 2018.
8.574371 Release Date: 25 Nov 2022 Companion Titles – Peter Breiner, Composer 8.574474 NEW | 8.574257 8.574256 | 8.574184-85
Click to listen to Serenade in D minor, Op. 44, B. 77: I. Moderato quasi marcia
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