Composer

:

Jón Leifs

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1965

Average_duration

:

18:49

Grógaldr, Op. 62 is a choral work composed by Icelandic composer Jón Leifs in 1955. The piece is based on an ancient Icelandic poem, which tells the story of a sorceress who summons the spirits of the dead to help her in a battle against her enemies. The poem is known for its powerful and evocative language, and Leifs' setting of it is equally intense and dramatic. The premiere of Grógaldr took place in Reykjavik on May 22, 1955, with the Icelandic National Choir and the Iceland Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Leif Segerstam. The work is divided into three movements, each of which is characterized by its own unique sound world and musical language. The first movement, "Invocation," begins with a haunting and mysterious choral chant, which gradually builds in intensity as the orchestra enters with a series of dissonant and unsettling chords. The music becomes increasingly frenzied and chaotic, as the sorceress calls upon the spirits of the dead to aid her in her battle. The second movement, "Conjuring," is a tour-de-force of orchestral virtuosity, with Leifs using a wide range of percussion instruments, including timpani, bass drum, cymbals, and gongs, to create a sense of otherworldly power and energy. The choir enters with a series of guttural and primal chants, which are gradually joined by the orchestra in a wild and frenetic dance. The final movement, "Incantation," is a slow and mournful lament, as the sorceress mourns the loss of her loved ones and the destruction wrought by her magic. The music is characterized by long, sustained chords and a sense of profound sadness and regret. Overall, Grógaldr is a powerful and evocative work, which showcases Leifs' unique musical language and his deep connection to the landscape and mythology of his native Iceland. The piece is a testament to the enduring power of ancient poetry and the ability of music to bring these ancient stories to life in new and exciting ways.

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