HUGO ALFVÉN (1872-1960): Symphony No. 5 in A Minor, Op. 54, Andante religioso.

Description: This is only the second recording of the complete Fifth symphony which occupied the composer for over a decade between the performance of the first movement in 1942 and the whole work's premiere in 1953. The main theme of the long first movement is taken from the ballet The Mountain King (unknown at the time; little could Alfvén have known that it would become almost an evergreen work after his death) and other elements from the 1916-23 dance piece appear elsewhere). BIS issued the first complete recording in 1993; collectors will be interested in Willén's interpretation, which adds over six minutes to Järvi's 48-minute recording. Norrköping Symphony Orchestra; Niklas Willén.