Composer

:

Jean Sibelius

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Cantata

Compose Date

:

1920

Average_duration

:

6:59

'Hymn of the Earth, Op. 95' is a choral work composed by Jean Sibelius in 1921. The piece was premiered on April 13, 1922, in Helsinki, Finland, with the composer conducting. The work is divided into two movements, each with its own distinct character. The first movement, titled "Luonnotar" (Daughter of Nature), is a setting of a Finnish creation myth. The text describes the creation of the world by the goddess Luonnotar, who is impregnated by the wind and gives birth to the first living creature. Sibelius's music captures the drama and mystery of the myth, with swirling string figures and soaring vocal lines. The second movement, titled "Hymn of the Earth," is a setting of a text by the Finnish poet Eino Leino. The poem celebrates the beauty and power of nature, and Sibelius's music reflects this with lush harmonies and sweeping melodies. The choir sings of the "mighty forests" and "rolling rivers," and the music evokes the grandeur of the natural world. Overall, 'Hymn of the Earth, Op. 95' is a powerful and evocative work that showcases Sibelius's skill as a composer of choral music. The piece is notable for its use of Finnish mythology and poetry, which give it a unique and distinctly national character.

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