Composer

:

Kim André Arnesen

Genre

:

Choral

Average_duration

:

5:42

"Dormi Jesu" is a choral work composed by Norwegian composer Kim André Arnesen. The piece was composed in 2013 and premiered in the same year by the Nidaros Cathedral Girls' Choir in Trondheim, Norway. The work is written for SATB choir and piano, and is a setting of the Latin text "Dormi Jesu, mater ridet" (Sleep, Jesus, mother smiles). The piece is divided into three movements, each with its own distinct character. The first movement is marked "Gentle and flowing," and features a simple, lilting melody in the piano that is echoed by the choir. The text is a lullaby, with the mother singing to her sleeping child. The music is peaceful and serene, with a sense of calm and comfort. The second movement is marked "With energy and drive," and is a contrast to the first. The piano introduces a rhythmic, syncopated motif that is taken up by the choir. The text is a prayer for protection, with the mother asking for angels to watch over her child. The music is more urgent and intense, with a sense of urgency and pleading. The final movement is marked "Slow and expressive," and is a return to the gentle, flowing character of the first. The piano introduces a new melody that is taken up by the choir, and the text is a reflection on the beauty of the sleeping child. The music is peaceful and contemplative, with a sense of wonder and awe. Overall, "Dormi Jesu" is a beautiful and moving work that showcases Arnesen's skill as a composer. The piece is characterized by its simple, yet effective melodies, lush harmonies, and expressive use of text. It is a work that is both accessible and deeply emotional, and is sure to resonate with audiences and performers alike.

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