Sunday Bandstand 22 September 2024

Sunday Bandstand 22 September 2024

Hugo Emil Alfvén - 1 May 1872 – 8 May 1960 was a Swedish composer, conductor, violinist, and painter.

He was born in Stockholm and studied at the Royal College of Music from 1887 to 1891 with the violin as his main instrument he also took private composition lessons At the same time he played the violin at the Royal Opera in Stockholm 1890-1892.

In 1897 he travelled much of the next ten years in Europe. He studied violin technique in Brussels and learned conducting in Dresden. In 1903-4 he was formally professor of composition at the Royal Conservatory, Stockholm. From 1910 he was  music director at the Universityof Uppsala (a post he held until 1939). There he also directed the male voice choir  until 1947.

He conducted in festivals at Uppsala (1911), Dortmund (1912), Stuttgart (1913), Gothenburg (1915), and Copenhagen (1918–1919). He toured Europe as a conductor throughout his life. He received a Ph.D.  from Uppsala in 1917 and became a member of the Royal Academy of Music in Stockholm in 1908. Alfvén recorded some of his orchestral music in stereo late in 1954 (the first classical stereo recordings made in Sweden), the recordings were issued on LP in the U.S. by Westminster Records.  A three-CD collection of Alfvén's recordings as a conductor has been issued.

Alfvén became known as one of Sweden's principal composers of his time. His music is in a late  Romantic idiom. His orchestrations are described as skilful and colourful, reminiscent of that of Richard Strauss. Like Strauss, Alfvén wrote a considerable amount of program music. Some of Alfvén's music evokes the landscape of Sweden.

Among his works are a large number of pieces for male voice choir, five symphonies and three orchestral "Swedish Rhapsodies." The first of these rhapsodies is his best known piece.

Playlist 22 September 2024

 

Recording Details

 
Rhythm and Blues – Philip Sparke   Opening for weekly show Foden's Band MD: Michael Fowles - 2010  'Patrons' Choice III' - CD - Egon CD-SFZ154 - 2010
Radetsky March - Johann Strauss Brighouse and Rastrick Band MD: Walter B. Hargreaves - 1997 (From a compilation) Recording Details 
The Essence of Time - Peter Graham Bjorsvik Brass (Norway) MD: Andreas Hansson - 2014  'Norwegian National Brass Band Championships Elite Section) NM Brass 2014 - 2014 
Intermezzo No. 2 from Jewel of the Madonna - Ermanno Wolf Ferrari arr. Geoffrey Brand  Scottish CWS Band MD: Geoffrey Brand - 1969  'The Scottish CWS Band' - Vinyl - Pye Golden Guinea GSGL 10430 - 1969   
Meeting of the Waters - Ralph Pearce Cornet soloist Roger Webster with the Brighouse and Rastrick Band MD: David Hirst - 1997  'Bandsman Choice' -  CD - Polyphonic Recording QPRL 086d - 1997
Selections from Titanic - James Horner arr. Andrew Duncan Whitburn Band MD: Andrew Duncan - 2004  'Reflections of Freedom' - CD - SFORZA - SFZ122CD - 2004
March from Things to Come - Sir Arthur Bliss arr. Neil Richmond Halls Oxford Concert Brass MD: Michael Brand - 1983  'BBC Best Of Brass T.V. Contest' - Vinyl - Polyphonic PRL022 - 1983
Swedish Rhapsody - Hugo Emil Alfvén arr. Faith and Pope Massed Bands of Fodens, Fairey Aviation and Morris Motors MD: Harry Mortimer - 1959  'Bright As Brass' - Vinyl - Decca Recording SKL4089 - 1959
Slavonic Fantasy - Carl Hohne arr. Gilles Rocha   Baritone soloist Gilles Rocha with Pianist Corinne Valloten -2009   'Uther Pendragon' - CD - Marcophon CD 7108 - 2009
New South Wales - Alexander Lithgow The Onslow Brass Band (New Zealand) MD: Norman Goffin - 1968  'March of the Anzacs' - CD - 1968
Greased Lightnin' / Summer Nights / Hopelessly Devoted to You / Grease / You're the One That I Want / Rock 'n' Roll Party Queen - From "Grease" -  Jim Jacobs arr. Andrew Duncan  Oberaargauer Brass Band (Austria) MD: Manfred Obrecht - 2006  'The Great Film Heroes' - CD - Obrasso Recording CD917 - 2006
Ave Maria -Tolga Kashif arr. Simon Kerwin Soprano Soloist Alexandra Kerwin with the Scottish Co-op Band MD: Ray Tennant - 2003  'By Request Vol.1' - CD - 2003
Petite Suite (1. En bateau (Sailing) Andantino) 3. Minuet: Moderato 4. Ballet: Allegro giusto - Claude Debussy arr: Major Peter Parkes  (written 4 mvts) Grimethorpe Colliery Band MD: Major Peter Parkes - 1998  'French Bon Bons' - CD - Chandos Recording CHAN 4542 - 1996
Here We Go - Darrol Barry Brass Band Emmental (Switzerland) MD: Anton Helscher - 2004  'Cap Hoorn' - CD - www.brassbandemmental.ch/       ....2004
Broadway Spectacular 1) The Deadwood Stage from Calamity Jane 2) Don't Bring Me Flowers from Mack and Mabel 3) Oh What a Beautiful Morning from Oklahoma 4) Ol Man River from Showboat 5) Tomorrow from Annie 6) The Lullaby of Broadway from Lullaby of Broadway - arr. Alan Fernie  Cory Band MD: Dr. Robert Childs - 2007  'Another Opening Another Show' - CD - Obrasso Recording CD923 - CD2007
Dance of the Comedians - Smetana Sun Life Band MD: Roy Newsome - 1990  'Avondale ' - CD - Label: Grasmere  GRCD41 - 1990
Creepy Trombones - Bertrand Moren Trombone Soloists Jeremie Favre, Lucas Llor & Lionel Fumeaux with the La Condordia Vertroz (Switzerland) MD: Bertrand Moren - 2018  'Ave Troz' - CD - 2018
Pastime with Good Company att Henry VIII - arr. Stephen Roberts Sellers International Band MD: Major Peter Parkes - 1999  'Best Sellers  International Band' - CD - Doyen Recording DOY 093 - 1999
Reunion and Finale - Randy Edelman arr. Andrew Duncan Yorkshire Building Society Band MD: Dr. David King - 2003  'European Brass Band Championships 2003' - DVD  - World of Brass SP&S 101DVD - 2003
The Champions - Major G.H.Willcocks Black Dyke Mills Band MD: Major Peter Parkes - 1987  '150 Years of the Black Dyke Mills Band' - Chandos Label - 1987
Rhythm and Blues – Philip Sparke   Closing for weekly show Foden's Band MD: Michael Fowles - 2010  'Patrons' Choice III' - CD - Egon CD-SFZ154 - 2010

1 comment

  • Henjo Capelle

    Henjo Capelle - Thursday, 03 October 2024

    Dear Chris,
    Magnificent programme, verbal guidance, excellent choices, never a dull moment here. Both, pls do not change or stop the formulae. Keep fit.

    We have spoken before. From a very frequent listener in the SW of Holland which unfortunately, work related, have to miss the London event of the year this weekend!

    Cheerio and keep up the good work!

    Brgds
    Henjo Capelle

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