Composer

:

Anna Thorvaldsdottir

Genre

:

Choral

Average_duration

:

4:26

'Heyr þú oss himnum á' is a choral work composed by Anna Thorvaldsdottir in 2011. The piece was premiered on October 15, 2011, by the Schola Cantorum Reykjavik Chamber Choir, conducted by Hörður Áskelsson, at the Reykjavik Arts Festival. The piece is divided into three movements, each of which is characterized by a different mood and texture. The first movement is slow and meditative, with the choir singing long, sustained notes that create a sense of stillness and contemplation. The second movement is more rhythmic and energetic, with the choir singing in a faster tempo and with more complex harmonies. The third movement returns to the slower, more meditative mood of the first, but with a sense of resolution and closure. One of the most striking characteristics of 'Heyr þú oss himnum á' is its use of space and silence. Thorvaldsdottir creates a sense of vastness and emptiness by allowing the music to breathe and by using long pauses between phrases. This creates a sense of awe and reverence that is appropriate for the text, which is a medieval Icelandic hymn to the Virgin Mary. Another characteristic of the piece is its use of extended vocal techniques. The choir is called upon to produce a range of sounds, from whispering and humming to shouting and chanting. This creates a sense of otherworldliness and mystery that is appropriate for the spiritual nature of the text. Overall, 'Heyr þú oss himnum á' is a powerful and evocative work that showcases Anna Thorvaldsdottir's unique voice as a composer. Its use of space, silence, and extended vocal techniques creates a sense of awe and reverence that is appropriate for the spiritual nature of the text.

More....