Hugo Alfvèn

Swedish Rhapsody for Piano

The Swedish Rhapsody, also known as 'Midsommarvaka' (Midsummer Vigil), is a symphonic rhapsody written in 1903 and is the best-known piece composed by Hugo Alfvén, and also one of the best-known pieces of music in Sweden. It can be described as a fantasy on popular Swedish folk melodies depicting the moods evoked by an old-time Swedish Midsummer-wake.

This edition presents the rhapsody in a Piano transcription, as arranged and popularised by Canadian composer and conductor Percy Faith.

Hugo Alfvén was a Swedish composer, conductor, violinist, and painter. Alfvén became known as one of Sweden's principal composers with the late-Romantic idiom of his music which evokes pictures of the Swedish landscape. His orchestration is skilful and colourful, reminiscent of that of Richard Strauss.