fbpx
Wikipedia

Biblical Songs

Biblical Songs (Czech: Biblické písně) is a song cycle which consists of musical settings by Czech composer Antonín Dvořák of ten texts, selected by him, from the Book of Psalms. It was originally composed for low voice and piano (1894, Op. 99, B. 185). The first five songs were later orchestrated by the composer (1895, B. 189).

Biblické písně
Biblical Songs
Song cycle by Antonín Dvořák
The composer in 1882
Opus99
TextSelections from the Book of Psalms
LanguageCzech
Composed1894 (1894)
Scoringlow voice and piano

History and reception edit

Biblical Songs was written between 5 and 26 March 1894, while Dvořák was living in New York City. It has been suggested that he was prompted to write them by news of a death (of his father Frantisek, or of the composers Tchaikovsky or Gounod, or of the conductor Hans von Bülow); but there is no good evidence for that, and the most likely explanation is that he felt out of place in the bustle of a big city, and that after two years in America he was homesick for Bohemia.[1] He returned to Europe in April 1895.

The original piano version was published in Czech by Simrock in 1895, with English and German translations of the text. Dvořák took particular care that the translations were appropriate to the vocal line. In January 1895, Dvořák orchestrated the first five songs. The manuscript was later lost, and only rediscovered and published in 1914 (by Simrock). In 1914, the conductor Vilém Zemánek [cs] orchestrated the other five. Arrangements of the cycle for other forces, and other orchestrations of the second five songs, have since been made.[1][2]

The first known public performance of any of the songs was on 26 September 1895: it was of No. 6 ("Slyš, ó Bože, volání mé") only, and took place at Mladá Boleslav; the performers were O. Schellerova (voice) and an unknown pianist.[2] It is not known when or where the full cycle with piano accompaniment was premiered. The orchestral version of the first five songs was premiered in Prague on 4 January 1896, by the baritone František Šír and the Czech Philharmonic conducted by the composer. On 19 March 1896, Dvořák conducted a performance of the same songs in Queen’s Hall, London, where the soloist was Katharine Fisk.[1]

Even if Dvorak had only written Biblical Songs and nothing else, it wouldn't have mattered. Whenever I get the chance to sing them, I feel like I’m in heaven.

The songs edit

The texts are from the 16th century Czech-language Bible of Kralice, and are available online with some translations into other languages.[3] The English and German titles in the following list are taken from the original vocal score, not from any English Bible.

  1. Psalm 97, "Oblak a mrákota jest vůkol něho". Andantino. ("Darkness and thunderclouds are round about Him", "Um ihn her ist Wolken und Dunkel", Psalm 97:2–6.)
  2. Psalm 119, "Skrýše má a paveza má Ty jsi". Andante. ("Lord my shield, my refuge and hope", "Herr, mein Schirm und Schild", Psalm 119:114–117, 119, 120.)
  3. Psalm 55, "Slyš, ó Bože, slyš modlitbu mou". Andante. ("Hear, oh hear my prayer", "Gott erhöre mein Gebet!", Psalm 55:1, 2, 4–5, 6, 7, 8.)
  4. Psalm 23, "Hospodin jest můj pastýř". Andante. ("Oh, my shepherd is the Lord", "Gott ist mein Hirte", Psalm 23:1–4.)
  5. Psalm 144, Psalm 145, "Bože! Bože! Píseň novou". Risoluto, maestoso. ("Songs of gladness will I sing Thee", "Herr! nun sing' ich Dir ein neues Lied", Psalm 144:9 and 145:1–3, 5, 6.)
  6. Psalm 61, Psalm 63, "Slyš, ó Bože, volání mé". Andante. ("Hear, oh Lord, my bitter cry", "Herr! Höre Gott, mein Flehen", Psalm 61:1, 3, 4 and 63:1, 4–5.)
  7. Psalm 137, "Při řekách babylonských". Andante. ("By the shore of the river Babylon", "An den Wassern zu Babylon", Psalm 137:1–5.)
  8. Psalm 25, "Popatriž na mne a smiluj se nade mnou". Andante. ("Oh, Lord, have mercy and turn Thou Thy face to me", "Wende Dich zu mir!", Psalm 25:16–18, 20.)
  9. Psalm 121, "Pozdvihuji očí svých k horám". Andante con moto. ("My eyes will I to the hills lift up", "Ich hebe meine Augen auf zu den Bergen", Psalm 121:1–4.)
  10. Psalm 98, Psalm 96, "Zpívejte Hospodinu píseň novou". Allegro moderato. ("Oh sing unto the Lord a joyful song", "Singet ein neues Lied", Psalm 98:1, 4–5, 7, 8 and 96:11–12.)

A typical performance of the complete cycle takes about 25 minutes.

Recordings edit

The complete cycle has been recorded numerous times since the introduction of LP records in the late 1940s.[4] Some notable recordings up to and including the first LP release include:

  • 1913: George Henschel (voice and piano), "By the Waters of Babylon" (No. 7) [5]
  • Unknown date: Hynek Maxa [cs] (baritone) and unknown pianist, the complete cycle
  • Unknown date: Paul Robeson (bass) and unknown pianist, "Při řekách babylonských" (No. 7) [6]
  • 1952: Marta Krásová (mezzo-soprano) and Přemysl Kočí (baritone) with Miroslav Kampelsheimer (organ). First known LP recording. 10" mono LP Supraphon DM 5128 [7]
  • 2004 Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra conducted by Nikolaus Harnoncourt, Christian Gerhaher, Bariton
  • Nikolaus Harnoncourt Live - the radio recordings rco19007 2022

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d "Biblical Songs". antonin-dvorak.cz. Retrieved 11 September 2016.
  2. ^ a b Biblical Songs, Op.99: Scores at the International Music Score Library Project
  3. ^ "Biblické Písně". The LiederNet Archive. Retrieved 11 September 2016.
  4. ^ "Biblical Songs". Classical Archives. Retrieved 11 September 2016.
  5. ^ "George Henschel". The AHRC Research Centre for the History and Analysis of Recorded Music. Retrieved 11 September 2016.
  6. ^ Paul Robeson - Recital at Discogs
  7. ^ Antonín Dvořák - Biblické Písně, Op. 99 at Discogs

External links edit

biblical, songs, this, article, about, song, cycle, antonín, dvořák, song, biffy, clyro, biblical, song, czech, biblické, písně, song, cycle, which, consists, musical, settings, czech, composer, antonín, dvořák, texts, selected, from, book, psalms, originally,. This article is about the song cycle by Antonin Dvorak For the song by Biffy Clyro see Biblical song Biblical Songs Czech Biblicke pisne is a song cycle which consists of musical settings by Czech composer Antonin Dvorak of ten texts selected by him from the Book of Psalms It was originally composed for low voice and piano 1894 Op 99 B 185 The first five songs were later orchestrated by the composer 1895 B 189 Biblicke pisne Biblical SongsSong cycle by Antonin DvorakThe composer in 1882Opus99TextSelections from the Book of PsalmsLanguageCzechComposed1894 1894 Scoringlow voice and piano Contents 1 History and reception 2 The songs 3 Recordings 4 References 5 External linksHistory and reception editBiblical Songs was written between 5 and 26 March 1894 while Dvorak was living in New York City It has been suggested that he was prompted to write them by news of a death of his father Frantisek or of the composers Tchaikovsky or Gounod or of the conductor Hans von Bulow but there is no good evidence for that and the most likely explanation is that he felt out of place in the bustle of a big city and that after two years in America he was homesick for Bohemia 1 He returned to Europe in April 1895 The original piano version was published in Czech by Simrock in 1895 with English and German translations of the text Dvorak took particular care that the translations were appropriate to the vocal line In January 1895 Dvorak orchestrated the first five songs The manuscript was later lost and only rediscovered and published in 1914 by Simrock In 1914 the conductor Vilem Zemanek cs orchestrated the other five Arrangements of the cycle for other forces and other orchestrations of the second five songs have since been made 1 2 The first known public performance of any of the songs was on 26 September 1895 it was of No 6 Slys o Boze volani me only and took place at Mlada Boleslav the performers were O Schellerova voice and an unknown pianist 2 It is not known when or where the full cycle with piano accompaniment was premiered The orchestral version of the first five songs was premiered in Prague on 4 January 1896 by the baritone Frantisek Sir and the Czech Philharmonic conducted by the composer On 19 March 1896 Dvorak conducted a performance of the same songs in Queen s Hall London where the soloist was Katharine Fisk 1 Even if Dvorak had only written Biblical Songs and nothing else it wouldn t have mattered Whenever I get the chance to sing them I feel like I m in heaven Eva Urbanova 1 The songs edit nbsp Ten Biblical songs Czech Biblicke Pisne by Antonin Dvorak source source Biblical Songs Problems playing this file See media help The texts are from the 16th century Czech language Bible of Kralice and are available online with some translations into other languages 3 The English and German titles in the following list are taken from the original vocal score not from any English Bible Psalm 97 Oblak a mrakota jest vukol neho Andantino Darkness and thunderclouds are round about Him Um ihn her ist Wolken und Dunkel Psalm 97 2 6 Psalm 119 Skryse ma a paveza ma Ty jsi Andante Lord my shield my refuge and hope Herr mein Schirm und Schild Psalm 119 114 117 119 120 Psalm 55 Slys o Boze slys modlitbu mou Andante Hear oh hear my prayer Gott erhore mein Gebet Psalm 55 1 2 4 5 6 7 8 Psalm 23 Hospodin jest muj pastyr Andante Oh my shepherd is the Lord Gott ist mein Hirte Psalm 23 1 4 Psalm 144 Psalm 145 Boze Boze Pisen novou Risoluto maestoso Songs of gladness will I sing Thee Herr nun sing ich Dir ein neues Lied Psalm 144 9 and 145 1 3 5 6 Psalm 61 Psalm 63 Slys o Boze volani me Andante Hear oh Lord my bitter cry Herr Hore Gott mein Flehen Psalm 61 1 3 4 and 63 1 4 5 Psalm 137 Pri rekach babylonskych Andante By the shore of the river Babylon An den Wassern zu Babylon Psalm 137 1 5 Psalm 25 Popatriz na mne a smiluj se nade mnou Andante Oh Lord have mercy and turn Thou Thy face to me Wende Dich zu mir Psalm 25 16 18 20 Psalm 121 Pozdvihuji oci svych k horam Andante con moto My eyes will I to the hills lift up Ich hebe meine Augen auf zu den Bergen Psalm 121 1 4 Psalm 98 Psalm 96 Zpivejte Hospodinu pisen novou Allegro moderato Oh sing unto the Lord a joyful song Singet ein neues Lied Psalm 98 1 4 5 7 8 and 96 11 12 A typical performance of the complete cycle takes about 25 minutes Recordings editThe complete cycle has been recorded numerous times since the introduction of LP records in the late 1940s 4 Some notable recordings up to and including the first LP release include 1913 George Henschel voice and piano By the Waters of Babylon No 7 5 Unknown date Hynek Maxa cs baritone and unknown pianist the complete cycle Unknown date Paul Robeson bass and unknown pianist Pri rekach babylonskych No 7 6 1952 Marta Krasova mezzo soprano and Premysl Koci baritone with Miroslav Kampelsheimer organ First known LP recording 10 mono LP Supraphon DM 5128 7 2004 Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra conducted by Nikolaus Harnoncourt Christian Gerhaher Bariton Nikolaus Harnoncourt Live the radio recordings rco19007 2022References edit a b c d Biblical Songs antonin dvorak cz Retrieved 11 September 2016 a b Biblical Songs Op 99 Scores at the International Music Score Library Project Biblicke Pisne The LiederNet Archive Retrieved 11 September 2016 Biblical Songs Classical Archives Retrieved 11 September 2016 George Henschel The AHRC Research Centre for the History and Analysis of Recorded Music Retrieved 11 September 2016 Paul Robeson Recital at Discogs Antonin Dvorak Biblicke Pisne Op 99 at DiscogsExternal links editBiblical Songs Op 99 Scores at the International Music Score Library Project Carpenter Alexander Antonin Dvorak Biblical Songs Biblicke pisne 10 for voice amp piano or orchestra B 185 Op 99 at AllMusic Biblicke Pisne The LiederNet Archive Retrieved 11 September 2016 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Biblical Songs amp oldid 1175129525, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

article

, read, download, free, free download, mp3, video, mp4, 3gp, jpg, jpeg, gif, png, picture, music, song, movie, book, game, games.