Per Nørgård

Abendlied & Märchenfarben

MÄRCHENFARBEN is a virtuoso piece for accordion ensemble, based on Nørgård's 'infinity series', and a special multi-layered rhythm also heard in the composers well known choral work 'Wie ein Kind' (second movement) from the same year, 1980. This rhythm, with the onomatopoeic nickname 'pischop', has a swaying and breathing quality, which seems well suited for an ensemble of accordions. Two percussion parts to be added ad lib. - are composed into the tone music of the accordions in 'Märchenfarben'.
The piece was composed in 1980 for the very talented Det Danske Harmonika Ensemble and its leader Jeanette Dyremose an ensemble that enlarged the instrumental piece with an introduction (as suggested by the composer), singing and playing Nørgård's choral song 'Abendlied' (1980) to a sunset idyllic poem by Adolf Wölfli (1864-1930), including here the word 'märchenfarben', the title of the shimmering and colorful instrumental music to follow with Märchenfarben. The duration of Abendlied & Märchenfarben is around 15-17 minutes (5-6' + 10-11').
- Per Nørgård