Hugo Alfvén

Hugo Emil Alfvén was a Swedish composer, conductor, violinist, and painter, born on May 1, 1872, in Stockholm, Sweden. Alfvén studied at the Royal College of Music with violin as his primary instrument and took private composition lessons. He played the violin at the Royal Opera in Stockholm and worked as a professor of composition. He served as the Director musices at the University of Uppsala, where he also conducted the male voice choir Orphei Drängar. A leading figure of late Romantic music in Sweden, Alfvén's compositions are known for their skillful orchestration and evocation of the Swedish landscape. Among his best-known works is 'Midsommarvaka'. He was a multi-talented individual, also recognized for his watercolor paintings and captivating four-volume autobiography, presenting significant insight into Swedish musical life.