Composer

:

Per Nørgård

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song: Art Song

Compose Date

:

1985

Himmelfalden is a choral work composed by Danish composer Per Nørgård in 1988. The piece was premiered on August 28, 1988, at the Holstebro International Music Festival in Denmark. The work is divided into three movements, each with its own distinct character and musical language. The first movement, "Himmelfalden," is a setting of a poem by the Danish poet Inger Christensen. The music is characterized by a slow, meditative pace and a sense of otherworldliness. The choir sings in unison, with occasional harmonies and dissonances adding color to the texture. The movement ends with a quiet, ethereal fade-out. The second movement, "Himlen står åben," is a setting of a text from the Bible. The music is more lively and rhythmic than the first movement, with a driving pulse and a sense of urgency. The choir sings in harmony, with occasional dissonances adding tension to the texture. The movement ends with a triumphant, exultant climax. The third movement, "Himlen er en stor blå kuppel," is a setting of a poem by the Danish poet Søren Ulrik Thomsen. The music is characterized by a sense of spaciousness and expansiveness, with long, sustained chords and a slow, deliberate pace. The choir sings in harmony, with occasional dissonances adding color to the texture. The movement ends with a quiet, contemplative fade-out. Overall, Himmelfalden is a deeply spiritual work that explores themes of transcendence, awe, and wonder. Nørgård's use of harmony, rhythm, and texture creates a sense of otherworldliness that transports the listener to a higher plane of existence. The work is a testament to Nørgård's skill as a composer and his ability to create music that speaks to the soul.

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