Composer

:

Edvard Grieg

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Canon

Average_duration

:

1:04

Edvard Grieg's 'Canon à 4 voci, EG 179' is a choral work composed in 1891. It premiered on October 18, 1891, in Bergen, Norway, as part of a concert celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra. The piece consists of four voices, each singing the same melody but entering at different times, creating a canon. The canon is divided into three movements, each with its own distinct character. The first movement is marked "Andante con moto" and is in a minor key. It begins with the bass voice singing the melody, followed by the tenor, alto, and finally the soprano. The melody is simple and repetitive, with each voice entering at a higher pitch than the previous one. The movement ends with a quiet, peaceful cadence. The second movement is marked "Allegro moderato" and is in a major key. It begins with the soprano voice singing the melody, followed by the alto, tenor, and finally the bass. The melody is more complex than in the first movement, with each voice adding its own embellishments. The movement ends with a lively, joyful cadence. The third movement is marked "Andante sostenuto" and is in a minor key. It begins with the tenor voice singing the melody, followed by the bass, soprano, and finally the alto. The melody is haunting and melancholic, with each voice adding its own mournful embellishments. The movement ends with a quiet, somber cadence. Overall, Grieg's 'Canon à 4 voci' is a beautiful and intricate choral work that showcases the composer's skill in creating complex harmonies and melodies. The use of a canon adds an interesting layer of complexity to the piece, as each voice enters at a different time, creating a rich and layered sound. The three movements each have their own distinct character, ranging from peaceful and quiet to lively and joyful to haunting and melancholic.

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