Composer

:

Rolf Lislevand

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

Chamber Music

Average_duration

:

2:33

Passacaglia cantus firmus (after Luys de Narváez) is a contemporary composition by Norwegian guitarist and composer Rolf Lislevand. The piece was composed in 2003 and premiered in the same year. It is a solo guitar piece that is based on a passacaglia, a musical form that originated in Spain in the 17th century. The passacaglia is a variation form that is built on a repeating bass line or harmonic progression. In Passacaglia cantus firmus, Lislevand uses a passacaglia as the foundation for his composition. The passacaglia is based on a theme by Luys de Narváez, a Spanish composer and vihuelist who lived in the 16th century. The theme is a cantus firmus, a pre-existing melody that is used as the basis for a new composition. The piece is divided into three movements. The first movement is slow and contemplative, with a simple and sparse texture. The passacaglia bass line is introduced and repeated throughout the movement, providing a sense of stability and continuity. The cantus firmus theme is also introduced, played in a simple and unadorned manner. The second movement is faster and more complex, with a more elaborate texture. Lislevand introduces new melodic material, building on the passacaglia bass line and the cantus firmus theme. The guitar playing becomes more virtuosic, with fast runs and intricate fingerpicking. The third movement returns to the slow and contemplative mood of the first movement. Lislevand brings back the passacaglia bass line and the cantus firmus theme, but this time he adds more ornamentation and variation. The guitar playing becomes more expressive, with a greater range of dynamics and articulations. Passacaglia cantus firmus is a beautiful and haunting piece that showcases Lislevand's virtuosity as a guitarist and his skill as a composer. The use of the passacaglia form and the cantus firmus theme give the piece a sense of historical continuity, while Lislevand's contemporary approach to harmony and texture make it a unique and original composition.

More....