Composer

:

Zoltán Kodály

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

1934

Publication Date

:

1934

Average_duration

:

4:32

Transylvanian Lament is a composition by Hungarian composer Zoltán Kodály. It was composed in 1935 and premiered in Budapest the same year. The piece is a part of Kodály's collection of folk song arrangements, which he began in the early 1900s. Transylvanian Lament is a single-movement piece that is approximately six minutes in length. The composition is based on a traditional Transylvanian folk song, which Kodály arranged for a mixed choir. The piece is characterized by its haunting melody and melancholic tone, which is typical of Transylvanian folk music. The piece begins with a solo soprano voice singing the melody of the folk song. The choir then enters, singing in unison, before breaking into four-part harmony. The piece is structured around the repetition of the melody, with each repetition becoming increasingly complex and harmonically rich. Kodály's arrangement of the folk song is notable for its use of dissonance and unconventional harmonies. The piece features frequent modulations and chromaticism, which add to its haunting and melancholic character. The use of dissonance and unconventional harmonies is a hallmark of Kodály's style, which was heavily influenced by the folk music of his native Hungary. Overall, Transylvanian Lament is a beautiful and haunting composition that showcases Kodály's skill as a composer and arranger. Its use of traditional folk melodies and unconventional harmonies make it a unique and memorable piece of music.

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