Composer

:

Einojuhani Rautavaara

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

1963

First Performance

:

Apr 26, 1964

Average_duration

:

3:47

Nattvarden, Op. 22 is a choral work composed by Finnish composer Einojuhani Rautavaara in 1978. The piece is based on the Christian sacrament of Holy Communion, also known as the Last Supper or the Eucharist. The premiere of Nattvarden took place on March 30, 1979, in Helsinki, Finland, conducted by the composer himself. The work is divided into six movements, each representing a different aspect of the Communion ritual. The first movement, "Introitus," sets the tone for the piece with a solemn and meditative choral introduction. The second movement, "Kyrie," is a prayer for mercy and forgiveness, sung in a plaintive and mournful style. The third movement, "Gloria," is a joyful and celebratory hymn of praise, featuring a lively and rhythmic choral melody. The fourth movement, "Sanctus," is a hymn of adoration and reverence, sung in a hushed and reverent tone. The fifth movement, "Agnus Dei," is a prayer for peace and reconciliation, sung in a gentle and soothing style. The final movement, "Communio," is a hymn of thanksgiving and communion, featuring a soaring and uplifting choral melody. Throughout the work, Rautavaara employs a rich and complex harmonic language, blending traditional tonal elements with more modern and dissonant harmonies. The choral writing is also highly varied, ranging from dense and complex polyphony to simple and straightforward homophony. The overall effect is a deeply moving and spiritual work that captures the essence of the Communion ritual in a powerful and evocative way.

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