The Lyre of the Gods

Three songs for SSAA choir and percussion (glockenspiel, wood-blocks, maracas) to texts by Edith Södergran (in Swedish or English). Gudarnas lyra was commissioned by the Akademiska Damkören Lyran, the women’s choir of the University of Helsinki, for its 50th anniversary. All three songs reflect the philosophy of the poet, Edith Södergran. Gudarnas Lyra is a lyrical poem using a lyre as the metaphor for the power of God in the universe, while Ljusfälten clearly reflects the poet’s religiosity. The light fields refer to the light of God that shines through the stormy night. The last song differs from the other two in that it has a secular theme; it is a poem in praise of champagne, joy, happiness and a festive mood (1.Gudarnas lyra / The Lyre of the Gods, 2. Ljusfälten / Light Fields, 3. Skum / Foam).