Composer

:

David Lang

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

2007

Average_duration

:

34:59

Movement_count

:

15

Movement ....

David Lang's "The Little Match Girl Passion" is a contemporary choral work that premiered in 2007. The piece is based on Hans Christian Andersen's classic tale "The Little Match Girl" and is structured in four movements. The first movement, "Come, Daughter," sets the tone for the piece with a haunting melody sung by the choir. The second movement, "It was terribly cold," tells the story of the little match girl's struggle to keep warm on a cold winter night. The choir sings in a repetitive, almost chant-like manner, creating a sense of desperation and hopelessness. The third movement, "From the sixth hour," draws parallels between the little match girl's suffering and the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The choir sings in a mournful tone, with dissonant harmonies and a sense of sorrow. The final movement, "Have mercy, my God," is a plea for mercy and salvation. The choir sings in a more hopeful tone, with a sense of longing and yearning for something better. One of the most notable characteristics of "The Little Match Girl Passion" is its use of percussion. The piece features a variety of percussion instruments, including bells, chimes, and a vibraphone, which add to the haunting and ethereal quality of the music. Overall, "The Little Match Girl Passion" is a powerful and moving work that explores themes of suffering, hope, and redemption. Its unique structure and use of percussion make it a standout piece in the contemporary choral repertoire.

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