Composer

:

Jón Leifs

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

ca. 1934

Average_duration

:

5:20

Movement_count

:

2

Movement ....

Jón Leifs, an Icelandic composer, composed 'Icelandic Folk-Songs (2), Op. 19b' in 1929. The piece premiered in Reykjavik, Iceland, on February 22, 1930. The composition consists of two movements, each based on a traditional Icelandic folk song. The first movement, 'Heyr þú oss himnum á,' is a choral setting of a hymn that dates back to the 17th century. The piece begins with a solo soprano voice singing the melody, which is then taken up by the choir. The harmonies are rich and complex, with dissonances that create a sense of tension and release. The piece builds to a climax before ending with a quiet, peaceful resolution. The second movement, 'Ólafur Liljurós,' is a setting of a love song that tells the story of a young man who falls in love with a beautiful girl named Lilja. The piece begins with a solo tenor voice singing the melody, which is then taken up by the choir. The harmonies are simpler than in the first movement, but still rich and expressive. The piece builds to a climax before ending with a quiet, reflective coda. Leifs' 'Icelandic Folk-Songs (2), Op. 19b' is characterized by its use of traditional Icelandic melodies and harmonies, which give the piece a unique and distinctive sound. The choral writing is complex and demanding, requiring a high level of skill and precision from the performers. The piece is also notable for its use of dissonance and unconventional harmonies, which create a sense of tension and drama. Overall, 'Icelandic Folk-Songs (2), Op. 19b' is a beautiful and powerful work that showcases the rich musical traditions of Iceland. Its combination of traditional melodies and modern harmonies makes it a unique and compelling piece of choral music.

More....