Composer

:

Einojuhani Rautavaara

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

1993

First Performance

:

Apr 15, 1994

Average_duration

:

14:58

Movement_count

:

3

Movement ....

Canción de nuestro tiempo is a choral work composed by Einojuhani Rautavaara in 1972. The piece was premiered in Helsinki, Finland, on May 12, 1973, by the Finnish Radio Chamber Choir under the direction of Eric-Olof Söderström. The work is divided into three movements, each with its own distinct characteristics. The first movement, titled "La noche oscura del alma" (The Dark Night of the Soul), is a setting of a poem by St. John of the Cross. The music is characterized by a sense of mystery and darkness, with the choir singing in a hushed, almost whispered tone. The harmonies are dissonant and unresolved, adding to the sense of unease and tension. The second movement, "Canción de nuestro tiempo" (Song of Our Time), is a setting of a poem by Federico García Lorca. The music is more upbeat and rhythmic, with the choir singing in a more declamatory style. The harmonies are more tonal and consonant, reflecting the more optimistic and hopeful tone of the poem. The final movement, "El jardín de las delicias" (The Garden of Delights), is a setting of a poem by Luis Cernuda. The music is characterized by a sense of joy and celebration, with the choir singing in a more exuberant and lively style. The harmonies are more complex and colorful, reflecting the richness and diversity of the imagery in the poem. Overall, Canción de nuestro tiempo is a powerful and evocative work that showcases Rautavaara's skill as a composer. The piece is notable for its use of contrasting moods and textures, as well as its incorporation of poetry from some of the most important Spanish-language writers of the 20th century.

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