Composer

:

Carl Nielsen

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1902 - 1907

Average_duration

:

3:23

Jens the Roadmender, FS 42/3, Op. 21/3 is a song cycle composed by Danish composer Carl Nielsen. The cycle was composed in 1917 and premiered on November 22, 1917, in Copenhagen. The cycle consists of six movements and is based on poems by Danish poet Johannes Vilhelm Jensen. The first movement, "Jens and the Mermaid," is a lively and playful song that tells the story of Jens, a roadmender who falls in love with a mermaid. The second movement, "Jens and the Lizard," is a slower and more contemplative song that describes Jens' encounter with a lizard and his thoughts on the fleeting nature of life. The third movement, "Jens and the Nightingale," is a lively and joyful song that celebrates the beauty of nature and the joy of life. The fourth movement, "Jens and the Rose," is a tender and romantic song that describes Jens' love for a rose and his longing for the woman he loves. The fifth movement, "Jens and the Birch Tree," is a melancholic and introspective song that reflects on the passing of time and the inevitability of death. The final movement, "Jens and the River," is a powerful and dramatic song that describes Jens' encounter with a river and his realization of the power and majesty of nature. The music of Jens the Roadmender is characterized by Nielsen's distinctive style, which combines elements of Danish folk music with modernist techniques. The songs are often playful and lighthearted, but also contain moments of deep emotion and introspection. The cycle is considered one of Nielsen's most important works and is widely regarded as a masterpiece of Danish art music.

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