Swedish Rhapsody No. 1
Swedish Rhapsody No. 1 (Swedish: Svensk rapsodi) is the subtitle of Midsommarvaka (Swedish for Midsummer Vigil),[1] a symphonic rhapsody by the Swedish composer Hugo Alfvén (1872 – 1960). Although the first of three similarly named works, it is often simply called the "Swedish Rhapsody".
The Rhapsody was written in 1903. It is the best known piece by Alfvén, and also one of the best known pieces of music in Sweden. The score, published around 1906, describes it as:[1]
[A] fantasy on popular Swedish folk melodies depicting the moods evoked by an old-time Swedish Midsummer wake; the dancing and games around the May-pole through the magic night of Midsummer Eve. [One theme] is the composer's own invention, while other themes are borrowed from the folk-music of Sweden and elaborated by the composer.
The Rhapsody was adapted as a ballet, La Nuit de St Jean, choreographed by Jean Borlin. It was first performed by Ballets Suedois in Paris in October 1920.
In popular culture
There are several pop culture references to the main theme of Swedish Rhapsody No. 1:
- It is played repeatedly in the 1952 short film The Stranger Left No Card.
- It was arranged and recorded as a fingerstyle guitar solo in 1957 by American guitarist Chet Atkins, and became one of Atkins' best-known recordings.
- It is played for a few seconds by Deep Purple's guitarist Ritchie Blackmore in the Made in Japan live version of Lazy.
- The numbers station "Swedish Rhapsody" got its name after listeners believed this piece of music was used as the interval signal. Documents released from Polish intelligence revealed that the signal was produced by a music box playing "Emile Reisdorff"'s "Luxembourg Polka," rather than Swedish Rhapsody No. 1. However, the section used was identical in both pieces.[2][3]
- The 1953 recording by Percy Faith's and his orchestra was a US Top 30 hit. The same year, light orchestral British cover versions by Mantovani and Ray Martin made the UK Singles Chart, peaking at No. 2 and No. 4 respectively.[4][5]
References
- 1 2 Full score. Wilhelm Hansen. ca.1906.
- ↑ "Swedish Rhapsody vs Luxembourg Polka". Hfunderground.com. Retrieved 2015-12-24.
- ↑ "G02". Priyom.org. Retrieved 2015-12-24.
- ↑ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 348. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ↑ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 352. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
External links
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