Your guide to classical music online

Hallstrom Ballets C

David Hurwitz

Artistic Quality:

Sound Quality:

These two attractive works represent the first attempts by Swedish composers to create original ballets based on Russian and French models. Both date from the early to mid 1870s (before Tchaikovsky’s great ballets) and take the works of Adam and possibly Delibes as inspiration. They succeed remarkably well. The largely self-taught Ivor Hallström enlisted the aid of his colleague Conrad Nordqvist for An Adventure in Scotland, and what everyone in Scotland is doing dancing the Mazurka only the work’s choreographer knows for sure–but it’s the finest movement in a charming and outgoing piece of writing. A Dream, subtitled “ballet-idyll”, features even lovelier music, in particular the episode called “Elfvorna”, which would have done Tchaikovsky proud. There’s no point in exaggerating this music’s significance in the history of ballet in general (as opposed to merely in Sweden), but it’s easy on the ear, atmospheric, and well made. Both works receive first-rate performances by the Malmö Opera Orchestra, and they’re very well recorded too. A delightful find.

« Back to Search Results


Recording Details:

Reference Recording: None

IVOR HALLSTRÖM - An Adventure in Scotland; A Dream

  • Record Label: Sterling - 1043-2
  • Medium: CD

Search Music Reviews

Search Sponsor

  • Insider Reviews only
  • Click here for Search Tips

Visit Our Merchandise Store

Visit Store
  • An Ozawa Story, November, 1969
    Much has justifiably been written regarding Seiji Ozawa’s extraordinary abilities and achievements as a conductor, and similarly about his generosity, graciousness, and sense of humor
  • Arvo Pärt’s Passio At St. John The Divine
    Cathedral of St John the Divine, New York, NY; January 26, 2024—When one thinks of musical settings of Christ’s Passion, one normally thinks of the
  • Boston Symphony Orchestra Makes Major Announcements
    Symphony Hall, Boston, Massachusetts; January 25, 2024—The Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO) makes three major new announcements today. Andris Nelsons, who is currently in his tenth