READER CHOICE

Graeme Jeal

Enfield

I recently rediscovered my Swedish Society LP of Hugo Alfvén (above) conducting two of his own works, The Mountain King and The Prodigal Son. These were recorded in 1954 and 1957 respectively and sound astonishingly good. It’s incredible to listen to a composer born 150 years ago, leading his own works in sound that needs no apology for its age. The Prodigal Son is particularly tuneful, and became a Top 20 hit when the Polka was recorded as ‘Swedish Polka’. The whole ballet suite, together with his Rhapsody No. 1, would make ideal BBC Proms pieces in Alfvén’s

150th birthday year.