Naxos’ recordings with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra have been among the most successful in their catalogue, and it’s great to see the label turning to the music of Sweden’s most famous Romantic composer. Unfortunately, this performance isn’t wholly recommendable. Alfvén’s music is invariably tuneful and attractively scored, but it needs a certain amount of interpretive help (in the symphonies anyway) if it’s to make a positive impression. Conductor Niklas Willén presides over some pretty limp playing, especially in the symphony’s first movement, offering performances that really pale when set beside those of Neeme Järvi on BIS. The idea of offering this music at budget price is a good one, and in the absence of competition this would do, but given the market reality, this disc isn’t the bargain it might have been.
