Composer

:

Einojuhani Rautavaara

Genre

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

1975-1995

First Performance

:

January 17, 1999

Average_duration

:

3:06

Marjatan jouluvirsi (A Kalevala Christmas Hymn) is a choral work composed by Einojuhani Rautavaara in 1978. The piece was premiered on December 10, 1978, by the Finnish Radio Chamber Choir under the direction of Eric-Olof Söderström. The work is divided into three movements, each of which is based on a text from the Finnish national epic, the Kalevala. The first movement, "Marjatan jouluvirsi" (Marjatta's Christmas Hymn), is a setting of a text from the Kalevala's 16th rune. The movement begins with a solo soprano singing a melody that is later taken up by the choir. The music is characterized by its simple, folk-like melodies and lush harmonies. The second movement, "Jouluyö" (Christmas Night), is a setting of a text from the Kalevala's 32nd rune. The movement begins with a solo tenor singing a melody that is later taken up by the choir. The music is characterized by its ethereal, otherworldly quality, with the choir singing in a hushed, almost whispered tone. The third movement, "Joululaulu" (Christmas Song), is a setting of a text from the Kalevala's 36th rune. The movement begins with a solo soprano singing a melody that is later taken up by the choir. The music is characterized by its joyful, celebratory quality, with the choir singing in a bright, exuberant tone. Overall, Marjatan jouluvirsi is a beautiful and evocative work that captures the spirit of Christmas through the lens of Finnish folklore. Rautavaara's use of simple, folk-like melodies and lush harmonies creates a sense of warmth and intimacy, while his ethereal and joyful settings of the Kalevala texts evoke the wonder and magic of the holiday season.

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