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Jón Leifs – Complete Songs

Composers
Performers
Instruments
Periods
Label
Catalogue numberBIS-2170 CD
Release date2016-02-10
Discs1
Orig. sample rate44100Hz
Total time80:28

Something of a cult figure, Jón Leifs is especially known for spectacular orchestral works often
inspired by the natural phenomena of his native Iceland – such as volcanoes (Hekla) or waterfalls
(Dettífoss) – or the great Icelandic sagas (Saga Symphony, and the large-scale, unfinished Edda
oratorio). But throughout a turbulent life, Leifs also composed a number of solo songs all of which are gathered here. These 32 songs (including several folk song arrangements) often give unusually clear insights into the composer: more than Leifs’ work in any other genre, his song writing was often inspired by deeply personal events in his life, and consequently span a huge range of emotion and expression, from delicate lullabies to the most forceful of epic songs. This is brought out by Finnur Bjarnason and Örn Magnússon, both stalwart champions of the music by their compatriot in concert and on disc. Bjarnason has previously appeared on BIS in the substantial Gróa’s Spell for alto, tenor and orchestra (BIS-1080), while Magnússon has recorded the complete piano music for the label (on BIS-692). The present performances were originally released on the Smekkleysa label,
in 2001, as a two-disc set. For this release they have been remastered and combined on a single
disc by BIS Records, in the hope that they will reach a new and wider audience, serving as an
introduction to and deepening the understanding of a highly individual voice in 20th century music.
 
  • CD QUALITY | MP3
    File formats included in CD QUALITY | MP3
    • FLAC 16-bit Stereo
    • MP3 Stereo
$ 11.39
 
Extra material for download
 
 
  Composer: Leifs, Jón
  Memorial Songs on the Death of Jónas Hallgrímsson, Op. 45 (1958) 06:22
01 Heimþrá (Homesickness) 02:29 $ 0.37 USD
02 Sólhvörf (Solstice) 02:52 $ 0.43 USD
03 Hjörtun hefjast (Hearts Rise Up) 01:01 $ 0.15 USD
 
  Songs from the Saga Symphony, Op. 25 (1941) 04:46
04 Brennusöngur Skarphéðins (Skarphéðinn’s Song When
Burning)
01:26 $ 0.22 USD
05 Húskarlahvöt (Exhortations to the Farmhands) 01:32 $ 0.23 USD
06 Helsöngur Þormóðar (Þormóður’s Death Song) 01:48 $ 0.27 USD
 
  Two Icelandic Folk Songs, Op. 19b (c. 1934–35) 05:08
07 Sofðu, unga ástin mín (Slumber Dearest Child of Mine) 04:13 $ 0.63 USD
08 Breiðifjörður (Fjord of a Thousand Islands) 00:55 $ 0.14 USD
 
  Two Songs, Op. 18a (1931–33) 09:43
09 Góða nótt (Good Night) 05:15 $ 0.79 USD
10 Ríma (Rhyme) 04:28 $ 0.67 USD
 
  Three Verses from Hávamál, Op. 4 (1924) 03:34
11 Þagalt ok hugalt (A King’s Child) 01:18 $ 0.20 USD
12 Ungr vark forðum (I Was Young) 01:05 $ 0.16 USD
13 Deyr fé (Beasts Die) 01:11 $ 0.18 USD
 
  Stattu steinhús
14 Stattu steinhús (Stand, House of Stone), Op. 47a (1958) 00:59 $ 0.15 USD
 
  Two Songs, Op. 14a (1929–30) 05:01
15 Máninn líður (The Moon Glides) 02:07 $ 0.32 USD
16 Vögguvísa (Lullaby) 02:54 $ 0.44 USD
 
  Three Songs from Icelandic Sagas, Op. 24 (1941) 06:16
17 Þat mælti mín móðir (My Mother Wants a Price Paid) 01:10 $ 0.18 USD
18 Ástarvísur til Steingerðar (Love Poems to Steingerður) 04:12 $ 0.63 USD
19 Haugskviða Gunnars (Gunnar’s Verse from His Mound) 00:54 $ 0.14 USD
 
  Three Songs, Op. 23 (1941) 09:01
20 Þula (Verse) 03:03 $ 0.46 USD
21 Draugadans (Dance of the Spectres) 02:54 $ 0.44 USD
22 Vorkvæði (Spring Poem) 03:04 $ 0.46 USD
 
  Minningaland
23 Minningaland (Memory-Land), Op. 27 No. 3 (1927–28) 02:32 $ 0.38 USD
 
  Love Verses from the Edda, Op. 18b (1931–32) 05:11
24 Löng er nótt (Long Is One Night) 03:04 $ 0.46 USD
25 Í Gymis görðum (In the Courts of Gymir) 02:07 $ 0.32 USD
 
  Old Scaldic Verses from Iceland, Op. 31 (1944–45) 07:19
26 Höggvinsmál Þóris jökuls (Up on the Keel You Shall
Climb)
01:21 $ 0.20 USD
27 Siglingavísa (Seafaring Verse) 01:12 $ 0.18 USD
28 Hrafnsmál (The Words of the Raven) 04:46 $ 0.72 USD
 
  Three Icelandic Hymns, Op. 12a (1929) 06:03
29 Vertu guð faðir (Father Above) 01:53 $ 0.28 USD
30 Allt eins og blómstrið eina (Behold the Flower) 03:00 $ 0.45 USD
31 Upp, upp mín sál (Arise My Soul) 01:10 $ 0.18 USD
 
  Torrek
32 Torrek, Op. 33a (1947) 04:02 $ 0.61 USD
 
  Album total 80:28
ComposerLeifs, Jón
PianoMagnússon, Örn
TenorBjarnason, Finnur

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