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Den stora trädgården

2004

Description

In EnglishSuomeksi

In 2004 the Dutch organization, Yo!, launched a European-wide composition competition to find a contemporary European Anthem. Den stora trädgården (The Great Garden), a short orchestral tone poem for symphony orchestra and mixed choir, was one of the three joint winners of that competition.

The text of Den stora trädgården was written in the 1920’s by Edith Södergran, an early 20th century Finnish poet. In the poem Södergran paints an affective portrait of an imaginary garden where its inhabitants share their unique and valuable personal qualities with each other to everybody’s benefit. The poet’s beautiful idea is conveyed in the music with a colorful orchestration and an abundance of musical ideas.

Instrumentation

for symphony orchestra and mixed choir

2004

3 flutes (3rd doubling piccolo)
2 oboes
English horn
3 clarinets (in Bb)
2 bassoons
Double bassoon

4 horns (in F)
3 trumpets (in C)
3 trombones
Tuba

Timpani
3 percussion
Harp
Celesta

Strings (14.12.10.8.6)

Mixed choir (SATB)

Den stora trädgården on sävelruno sinfoniaorkesterille ja sekakuorolle. Edith Södergran maalaa runossaan kuvan kuvitteellisesta ihmisten rakentamasta puutarhasta, joka kukoistaa asukkaidensa ainutlaatuisten ominaisuuksien ruokkimana. Runoilijan maailmoja syleilevä, nuoruuden idealistinen optimismi saa musiikillisen vastineensa rönsyilevän tuhlailevasta musiikillisen tematiikan viljelystä ja koloristisesta orkestraatiosta. Kappaleen mahtipontinen aloitus toimii tyylillisenä alluusiona barokin ajan ranskalaiseen alkusoittoon pisteellisine rytmeineen ja tahtien loppuiskun sävelryöppyineen. Den stora trädgården sai kantaesityksensä joulukuussa 2004 Hollannin musiikkipäivillä Utrechtissa Alankomaiden radion sinfoniaorkesterin ja Koor Nieuwe Muziekin esittämänä.

Instrumentation

for symphony orchestra and mixed choir

2004

3 flutes (3rd doubling piccolo)
2 oboes
English horn
3 clarinets (in Bb)
2 bassoons
Double bassoon

4 horns (in F)
3 trumpets (in C)
3 trombones
Tuba

Timpani
3 percussion
Harp
Celesta

Strings (14.12.10.8.6)

Mixed choir (SATB)

    Audio

  • The Netherland’s Radio Symphony Orchestra & Koor Nieuwe Muzik, cond. Pascal Rophé (from cd ‘Anthem Sketches’, 2005 Stichting Yo!).

Details

Movements

Duration 5’

First performance

12 December 2004 at Dutch Music Days, The Netherlands
The Netherland’s Radio Symphony Orchestra and Koor Nieuwe Muzik, cond. Pascal Rophé
Music Center Vredenburg, Ütrecht, The Netherlands

Published by Music Finland