description Northern Lights (Gjeilo) Overview
Northern Lights, also titled Nordnorsk Salme, is a choral work by Norwegian composer Ola Gjeilo that sets the Latin text Pulchra es, amica mea from the Song of Songs. Written for unaccompanied mixed choir, it uses sustained harmonies, shifting tonal colors, and divided vocal parts to evoke the visual atmosphere associated with the aurora borealis. It is intended for advanced choirs capable of maintaining close harmonies and long, controlled phrases.
help Northern Lights (Gjeilo) FAQ
What text did Ola Gjeilo use for his choral piece Northern Lights?
The piece sets the Latin text Pulchra es, amica mea, which is drawn directly from the biblical Song of Songs. Despite the Latin text, the Norwegian composer Ola Gjeilo took his atmospheric inspiration from the northern lights phenomenon.
What is the alternative title for Northern Lights by Ola Gjeilo?
The piece is also officially titled Nordnorsk Salme, which translates to North Norwegian Psalm. This title reflects the composer's desire to capture the mood of the vast, cold landscapes of Northern Norway.
What type of choir is required to perform Northern Lights by Gjeilo?
It is written for an unaccompanied mixed choir that frequently divides into multiple parts to create shifting tonal colors. The sustained harmonies require excellent breath control and pitch accuracy from the singers.
When was Ola Gjeilo's Northern Lights published?
The piece was composed in the late 2000s, firmly establishing Gjeilo's reputation in the modern choral world. It has since become one of the most frequently performed contemporary choral works globally.
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