Verba sancta
Code: NVT028Product detailed description
Deep melodic expression of biblical texts
Verba sancta is the final song cycle by Ilja Hurník, composed in 2003 for soprano and harpsichord or organ. The cycle consists of five songs set to biblical texts, whose individual words and sentences are given independent musical treatment to highlight their spiritual meaning. In this work, Hurník placed particular emphasis on melody, which, in his own words, was intended to dominate over the other musical elements. The work was first performed in 2006 as part of the Janáčkův máj festival in a version for soprano and chamber orchestra. The publication has 28 pages and represents chamber vocal music by a significant figure of Czech music of the 20th and 21st centuries.
Soprano part
The cycle is written for soprano and is built primarily around a distinctive and independently developed melodic line.
Harpsichord or organ
In its original version, the vocal part is accompanied by harpsichord or organ, reinforcing the intimate character of the cycle.
Ilja Hurník
The cycle was written by Czech composer, pianist, writer and teacher Ilja Hurník.
“I wanted to write a composition in which melody would dominate all other elements. In my previous works it had been pushed into the background. I chose biblical texts and separated individual words or sentences from them. All of them have a deep spiritual meaning, but are generally well known. In this way, the listener will not be occupied with what is being sung and can surrender to the melody.” With these words, Ilja Hurník described his intention when creating Verba sancta. The five songs are based on biblical texts whose meaning is concentrated in individual words and sentences through the musical setting. Distinctive melodic writing is placed at the forefront and forms the central musical axis of the entire work. The cycle was composed in 2003 and became the final song cycle in Hurník's output. In 2006, it was performed at the Janáčkův máj festival in a version for soprano and chamber orchestra. The vocal part remained completely identical in both versions, while the orchestral version features more extensive instrumental introductions and codas for the individual songs.
Ilja Hurník was a Czech composer, pianist, writer and teacher who devoted significant attention to song composition. He composed songs from an early age and created numerous song cycles throughout his career, including Tři písně o přírodě, Dívčí písně, Slezské písně, Šalamoun, Šulamít, Amorosa and Verba sancta. According to the information provided by Notovna, Verba sancta, composed in 2003, was the final song cycle of his career.
More about the author and his publications can be found here: Ilja Hurník - biography
Contents
- 🎵 Five songs set to biblical texts
- 🎵 Soprano voice
- 🎵 Harpsichord or organ accompaniment
- 🎵 Strong melodic focus
- 🎵 Biblical texts with deep spiritual meaning
- 🎵 Version for soprano and chamber orchestra
- 🎵 Premiere in 2006 as part of the Janáčkův máj festival
- 🎵 Year of composition: 2003
- 🎵 28 pages
Additional parameters
| Category: | Vocal – Solo |
|---|---|
| EAN: | 9790706570273 |
| Autor: | Hurník Ilja |
| Vydavatel: | Notovna.cz |
| Počet stran: | 28 |
| ISMN: | 979-0-706570-27-3 |
| Jazyk publikace: | čeština |
| Manufacturing company : | Notovna.cz |
|---|---|
| Address : | Bernolákova 1164/1, Praha 4, 142 00 |
| E-mail : | info@notovna.cz |