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Påskeblomst (2005) |
Variations for string orchestra - c.18'
”Påskeblomst” (daffodil) is a well-known Danish hymn for Easter, written by N.F.S. Grundtvig in 1817. The hymn describes the truth of Christianity and its innermost mystery: Resurrection. The theme throughout the hymn is whether Resurrection is genuine, and this question is presented as a drama between faith and the doubt that lies in everyone's heart. Grundtvig compares the turning point from doubt to faith to an intoxication that results from drinking a strong drop from the yellow calyx of the daffodil, when he could hear the cockcrow and the morning song and see the dead rise in an Easter dawn (verse 5). At the end of the hymn it is maintained: "Ja, jeg ved, du siger sandt:
Frelseren stod op af døde!
(Yes, I know your words are true:
Christ arose from tomb and grave site!) Good Friday is not the last word about Jesus – nor about us! We hold Good Friday as a guarantee of Easter Sunday morning, and the proclamation of God´s ever active and infinite love for us. Carl Nielsen composed the melody for ”Påskeblomst” in 1910. The melody opens with a characteristic twist right under the keynote that evokes a Gregorian chant from the 11th century, the Easter sequence ”Victimae paschali laudes”. ”Påskeblomst” is a hymn that is firmly rooted in the Danish tradition by Carl Nielsen´s brilliant melody, and has today become one of the most popular hymns sung at Easter celebrations. ”Påskeblomst” for string orchestra by Naji Hakim is developed as variations on Carl Nielsen’s melody. The variations are grouped as follows: I - Hymne
II - Modéré,
III - Tumultueux,
IV - Véhément
V - Recueilli
VI - Gaiement,
VII - Animé,
VIII - Ardent
IX - Orné
X - Dansant Variations V and IX, more vertical and meditative, give a relief to the form and contrast with the groups (II, III, IV), (VI, VII, VIII), and the very lively conclusion.
© Pastor Hanne Margrethe Tougaard.