Midsommarvaka, Op. 19 (Midsummer Vigil; Swedish Rhapsody No. 1) Cover Image

Midsommarvaka, Op. 19 (Midsummer Vigil; Swedish Rhapsody No. 1): Full Orchestra, Conductor Score

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Midsommarvaka, Op. 19 (Midsummer Vigil; Swedish Rhapsody No. 1) Cover Image
Midsommarvaka, Op. 19 (Midsummer Vigil; Swedish Rhapsody No. 1): Full Orchestra, Conductor Score

Midsommarvaka, Op. 19 (Midsummer Vigil; Swedish Rhapsody No. 1): Full Orchestra, Conductor Score

By Hugo Alfven

Item: 36-A120701
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Midsommarvaka, Op. 19 (Midsummer Vigil; Swedish Rhapsody No. 1): Full Orchestra, Conductor Score & Parts

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Description
The most popular work by Hugo Alfvén (1872-1960), MIDSOMMARVAKA (MIDSUMMER VIGIL) is also known by its subtitle SWEDISH RHAPSODY NO. 1. Composed in 1903, the work is alleged to have emerged as a response to the assertion that his music, on the whole, proved too serious and heavy-handed. One of three "Swedish rhapsodies," it takes much of its inspiration from Swedish folk music, evoking various midsummer rituals such a maypole dance and a rustic wedding. In October 1920, Ballet Suedois performed a ballet adaptation of the piece called LA NUIT DE ST JEAN, with choreography by Jean Börlin. Instrumentation: 3(3rd d. Picc).3(3rd d. EH).2(2nd d. ECl)+BCl.3: 4.2.3.1: Timp.Perc(2). 2Hp: Str (9.8.7.6.5 in set).

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Additional Details
Series: Kalmus Orchestra Library
Publisher: Keiser Productions, Inc.
ISBN10: 8-89-563898-0
ISBN13: 979-889-563-8989
UPC: 612735967925
SKU: 36-A120701
Instrumentation: 3(3rd d. Picc).3(3rd d. EH).2(2nd d. ECl)+BCl.3: 4.2.3.1: Timp.Perc(2). 2Hp: Str (9.8.7.6.5 in set)

More about this title

About the Composer: Hugo Alfven

Hugo Alfvén (1872-1960) was Sweden's most celebrated orchestral composer, whose works became synonymous with Swedish nationalism and cultural identity in the early twentieth century. Beyond composition, Alfvén served as conductor of the Royal Opera in Stockholm and taught at the Royal College of Music, leaving a legacy that shaped Swedish musical life for decades. His gift for orchestration and his ability to transform folk idioms into sophisticated concert works made him one of Scandinavia's most performed composers.

Why we love this

Midsommarvaka delivers the orchestral color and energy that audiences crave, yet it rarely appears on concert programs outside Scandinavia. The score balances accessibility with orchestral sophistication; the melodic material is immediately engaging while the harmonic language and instrumental writing remain engaging for musicians who know Sibelius and Grieg. Its midsummer atmosphere and clear narrative arc make it a natural centerpiece for spring or summer concerts, and the harp writing adds a dimension of shimmer that elevates the entire ensemble sound.

What to expect

The work unfolds like a procession through a Swedish countryside at midsummer: opening with pastoral woodwind writing that evokes folk celebration and maypole traditions, then building through dance rhythms and orchestral color toward moments of rapturous beauty. The harmonic language is warm and diatonic, rooted in folk melody, yet Alfvén's orchestration bathes these simple materials in shimmering orchestral light.

Who it's for

Orchestras with strong string sections, adequate woodwind doublings, and the capacity to field two harpists will find this score both rewarding and achievable at the advanced amateur and professional levels. Conductors seeking to program Scandinavian repertoire or to introduce audiences to music outside the Germanic and Italian canons will appreciate its melodic appeal and orchestral craftsmanship.

How to get the most out of it

  • Shape the opening woodwind melodies with natural rubato; Alfvén's folk-inspired themes need breathing room rather than metronomic precision to capture the rustic character.
  • Balance the two harp parts with care so they support rather than dominate the harmonic foundation, particularly in passages where they interact with the string texture.
  • Attend to the percussion color; the work calls for two percussionists and multiple timbral choices that differentiate the folk celebration scenes from one another.
  • Let the string section's dynamic range drive the overall arc; Alfvén's orchestration relies heavily on string swells and color shifts to convey the ritual pageantry of midsummer.

How to use it

Midsommarvaka works beautifully as a spring or early summer concert centerpiece, paired with other Scandinavian works or as a bridge between Romantic and twentieth-century repertoire. Its substantial length and emotional arc make it suitable for a standalone spotlight rather than a filler item. Consider it for a concert exploring nationalism in music or for programming that celebrates diverse European orchestral traditions.

Skills your students will build

  • Reading and balancing multiple folk melodies across different instrumental choirs
  • Sustaining ensemble cohesion across rubato and flexible phrasing
  • Coordinating complex doublings (thirds on woodwinds, English horn, bass clarinet, and bassi in the lower strings)
  • Executing dynamic shaping and phrase architecture that serves lyrical, dance, and celebratory musical gestures

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