Hugo Alfvén (1872-1960)

Aftonen

Rudén no. 187

Print
  • Year of composition: Dated Tibble 15 September 1942
  • Work category: Male choir a cappella
  • Text author: Herman Sätherberg
  • First performed: Uppsala 5 May 1943. Orphei Drängar, cond. Hugo Alfvén
  • Duration: 5 min
  • Detailed duration: 4,5 minutes

Solo voices/choir

T.T.B.B.

Examples of printed editions

Stockholm 1942, CG 3464, Gehrmans kvartett-bibliotek, 209

  • Location autograph: Uppsala Universitetsbibliotek
  • Possible call no. and autograph comment: UUB VMhs 184:1b

Description of work

Stilla A major 4/4


Work comment

One of Hugo Alfvén´s most frequently performed choral songs, composed in 1942, during his years as an emeritus. This time the composer deviated from his habit of writing the version for men´s choir first. The composition is dedicated to the Siljan Choir, who most likely premiered it. A romantic forest worship blossoms out here in soft sonorities.


Libretto/text

Skogen står tyst, himlen är klar.
Hör, huru tjusande vallhornet lullar.
Kvällssolens bloss sänker sig ner,
ner i den lugna, den klara våg.
Ibland dälder, gröna kullar
mångdubbelt eko kring nejden far.

In English:
Tranquil the woods, skies crystal clear,
Faint the alluring shepherd horns beckon.
Sunset aglow, blushingly fading, settling
slowly, oh so gently, onto a peaceful rippling wave.
Through the valleys, verdant hillsides,
lingering echoes sound...

Translation: Annika Vallgren