COMPOSERS: Alfven
LABELS: Naxos
ALBUM TITLE: Alfvén: The Prodigal Son Suite; Symphony No. 2 in D
WORKS: The Prodigal Son Suite; Symphony No. 2 in D
PERFORMER: National SO of Ireland/Niklas Willén
CATALOGUE NO: 8.555072
Alfvén made his breakthrough with his rugged Second Symphony in 1899, while the suite from his Prodigal Son ballet is attractive and folksy enough to make one forget the fact it only dates from 1956 (it sounds no more modern than Grieg). Performances are better than serviceable, if lacking the style and atmosphere of Neeme Järvi (BIS).
Matthew Rye