Composer

:

Bohuslav Martinu

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Keyboard

Compose Date

:

Apr 1959

Publication Date

:

1965

Average_duration

:

7:08

Vigilie, H. 382 is a choral work composed by Bohuslav Martinu in 1959. The piece was premiered on December 13, 1959, in Basel, Switzerland, by the Basel Chamber Choir and the Basel Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Paul Sacher. The work is divided into three movements, each with its own distinct character. The first movement, "Vigilie," is a slow and solemn introduction, featuring the choir singing a Latin text that sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The second movement, "Lauda," is a lively and joyful celebration of the Nativity, with the choir and orchestra alternating between exuberant and contemplative passages. The final movement, "Postludium," is a quiet and reflective conclusion, with the choir singing a simple melody that gradually fades away. One of the most striking characteristics of Vigilie is Martinu's use of polytonality and complex harmonies. The piece is written in a modernist style, with dissonant chords and unexpected harmonic shifts that create a sense of tension and unease. However, Martinu also incorporates elements of traditional Czech folk music, such as the use of modal scales and rhythmic patterns, which give the piece a unique and distinctive flavor. Overall, Vigilie is a powerful and moving work that showcases Martinu's skill as a composer and his ability to blend different musical traditions into a cohesive and expressive whole.

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