Composer

:

Leos Janácek

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1918

Publication Date

:

1920

First Performance

:

May 25, 1919

Movement_count

:

10

Movement ....

Leos Janácek's 'Silesian Songs (10), JW 5/13' is a collection of ten songs for mixed choir, composed in 1927. The premiere of the work took place on 22nd October 1927 in Brno, Czechoslovakia, conducted by the composer himself. The ten songs in the collection are based on traditional folk songs from the Silesia region, which is located in the eastern part of the Czech Republic. Janácek was deeply interested in the folk music of his country, and he often incorporated elements of it into his compositions. The first song in the collection, 'A Maiden Sat in the Garden', is a gentle and lyrical piece that sets the tone for the rest of the work. The second song, 'The Little Dove', is a lively and rhythmic piece that features a call-and-response structure between the choir and a soloist. The third song, 'The Lark', is a soaring and uplifting piece that showcases Janácek's skill at writing for choir. The fourth song, 'The Water Mill', is a haunting and atmospheric piece that features a solo soprano voice. The fifth song, 'The Soldier', is a dramatic and intense piece that tells the story of a soldier who is leaving his home to go to war. The sixth song, 'The Rose', is a delicate and beautiful piece that features a solo soprano voice. The seventh song, 'The Little Owl', is a playful and whimsical piece that features a solo tenor voice. The eighth song, 'The Harvest', is a celebratory and joyful piece that features a solo soprano voice. The ninth song, 'The Wedding', is a lively and energetic piece that features a call-and-response structure between the choir and a soloist. The final song in the collection, 'The Good Night', is a gentle and peaceful piece that brings the work to a close. Overall, 'Silesian Songs (10), JW 5/13' is a beautiful and evocative collection of folk-inspired choral music. Janácek's use of traditional melodies and his skillful writing for choir make this work a true masterpiece of the genre.

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