Scheja plays Dag Wiren's Ironical Miniatures Op. 19

When I was at Iowa in the early 1970's, a young Swedish pianist named Staffan Scheja came to give a concert, and he gave an informal "lunch" concert--I think in the student union--to which the public was invited for free. Scheja was very much the prim and proper young prodigy then (photo below) with his dark mane of long hair, and his sharp profile. Ironically, I had just a little earlier purchased a recording by him, Swedish Romantic Piano Music, since I had no familiarity with Scandinavian music, outside of Grieg and Sibelius. I loved that recording, especially the Op. 19 of Dag Wiren, entitled Ironical Miniatures.

Scheja spent some years in the States, before eventually returning to Stockholm, where he teaches at the Royal College of Music, and runs a chamber music festival. Below is a photo taken many years later.

Outside of these miniatures, I know nothing of Wiren [1905-1986], though he was apparently prolific and well-regarded. I think I can hear a little Prokofiev in these pieces. They're modern and sprightly, but also very pure and translucent in the Scandinavian fashion.