Composer

:

Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1897

Publication Date

:

1897

Average_duration

:

3:24

"When the golden cornfield waves, Op. 40/1" is a choral work composed by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov in 1897. The piece was premiered on December 5, 1897, in St. Petersburg, Russia, by the Russian Choral Society. The piece is part of a larger work called "Songs of the Russian People," which is a collection of choral arrangements of traditional Russian folk songs. "When the golden cornfield waves" is the first movement of the collection and is one of the most popular and well-known pieces in the set. The piece is written for a four-part choir, with the melody carried by the sopranos and altos. The lyrics describe the beauty of a golden cornfield waving in the wind and the joy it brings to the people who work in it. The music is characterized by its flowing, lyrical melody and lush harmonies, which evoke the peaceful and idyllic setting of the cornfield. Rimsky-Korsakov's arrangement of the folk song is notable for its use of chromaticism and rich harmonies, which add depth and complexity to the simple melody. The piece also features a number of dynamic contrasts, with the choir alternating between soft, gentle passages and more powerful, dramatic sections. Overall, "When the golden cornfield waves" is a beautiful and evocative piece of choral music that captures the essence of traditional Russian folk music. Its popularity has endured over the years, and it remains a beloved piece in the choral repertoire.

More....