Easter Day (Die Festtage des Kirchenjahres, Op. 66, No. 8)

I live in a busy, city area with lots of people. It's a nice, residential neighborhood, but it's not what you'd call an "open space."

We are blessed to live on a block that has many beautiful trees. In one of the trees that is directly in front of our house, lives a little bird that loves to sing. We've seen him, and he's rather plain-looking. His song gets earlier and earlier as the year moves along and the sun rises earlier. Almost everyday he begins his aria when it is still dark, and sings his way into the first sunlight, at which point, the song ends. Sometimes it can be a bit annoying, but we love knowing he's there and keeping watch. It's a big responsibility for a little bird, but he gives it everything he has.

I think that's what this piece, "Anden Paaskedag (Zweiter Ostertag)" is all about.

Certainly this piece features the song of a lonely bird, keeping watch in the darkness upon the first Easter morn.

Alone, he sings his song. His instinct tells him "It's" happened, but he doesn't know what it is, and can't see it - but, his song is there. He proclaims, like a trumpet, "Awake, arise! He is risen!" Many will not here the song, but some while.

The "bird song" in this brief, rather sad piece isn't elaborate, but it heralds the Resurrection, as surely as if it were the great trumpet of salvation. His song may be weak and small, but he gives it everything he has, hoping that someone will hear and respond...

Otto Valdemar Malling (1 June 1848 – 5 October 1915) was a Danish composer, from 1900 the cathedral organist in Copenhagen and then Director of the Royal Danish Academy of Music, Copenhagen.

In his later career he mainly composed organ works and vocal music, but he also wrote a significant amount of orchestral music. His organ music brought him some reputation abroad, but after his death he was soon forgotten in his native country.

The score and photos are attached below.

Brief notes and links in the First Comment.

Peace to All.