The first of the pieces reminds us of the Swedish folksong 'Little Spider climbs the wall'. It is all great fun, also the Overture based on the American national anthem. Just hear the wonderful song-like second theme in track 2, well worth the whole disc. Even Gade comes to mind. Hägg is a tragic case. He started off as one of the most promising Swedish composer talents of all times. But it came to a standstill. He seemed unable to take in more modern style in his compositions. The Symphony is significant in this respect. It just stays being a well-written Schumann symphony. The composer did suffer from mental disorder and ended his life in an asylum. Not an unusual destiny also for so many contemporaries who never know how to obtain recognition in their lifetime...