When Swedes are asked, “What is the best time of summer?”, the answer might be “this Thursday”—it’s that short. No wonder all Scandinavians just love their summer, and the long hours of mid-summer daylight that profoundly energize body, mood, and mind.
For Music of the Week, we are presenting a Swedish classic celebrating summer: Originally composed for solo piano, “Intåg i Sommarhagen” belongs to the Flowers of Frösö (Frösöblomster) cycle of compositions conceived by Swedish romantic composer Wilhelm Peterson-Berger between 1896 and 1914.
Sommarhagen (“Summer Garden”) was Peterson-Berger’s home on the island of Frösön in Jämtland famous for its 1000-year-old runestone. Peterson-Berger lived at Sommarhagen during the summers of 1914–1930, and then permanently until his death in 1942. Today, Villa Sommarhagen is a museum and Frösön’s most popular tourist destination during the summer.
The version we are listening to is an arrangement for wind orchestra by contemporary composer Jerker Johansson.
Related:
Wilhelm Peterson-Berger on Wikipedia
About Peterson-Berger and Sommarhagen
