Jordens Vej

Jordens Vej for SA Choir and Organ by Per Nørgård (1981). Text by Ole Sarvig.

Manuscript copy.

Programme note

When in 1975 I had finished composing my3rd Symphony (begun in 1973), I wrote three simple melodies for two psalm texts by Ole Sarvig: “The Year” and “Choral Hymn”. These three tunes were derived from the same material as the second movement ofthe 3rd Symphony and could be harmonized together in several different tempo relationships at the same time - like fractals – which inspired me to write several choral and instrumental works in the following decade basedonthese melodies: “Frost Psalm”, “Winter Cantata”, “Cantica” a.o. 
One of these ‘Sarvig melodies’ is now in the Danish Hymnbook, nr. 720, under the title 'Året'(TheYear). 
Jordens vej for choir and organ was the basis of the work Korsalme (1982) for mixed choir and instruments (ad lib.).

Per Nørgård