Draumkvedet (The Dream Poem) is a Norwegian visionary poem, probably dated from the late medieval age. It is one of the best known medieval ballads in Norway. The first written versions are from Lårdal and Kviteseid in Telemark in the 1840s. The protagonist, Olav Åsteson, experiences an ecstatic and trance-like sleep from Christmas Eve until the twelfth day of Christmas (Epiphany). This is also know as the twelve holy nights. His soul wanders from the world in which we are born - føesheimen into the hereafter - annheimen. He acquires insight into the afterlife and tells of a mighty battle between good and evil, of dangerous animals and a glimpse of paradise. Several Norwegian composers, from Ludvig Mathias Lindemann to David Monrad Johansen and Arne Nordheim, have been inspired to write major musical works based on this text. The melodies attached to Draumkvedet correspond mostly to melodies from gammelstev (oldest folk songs) Here is one recording on cd, but there are many more recordings.
Posted on: Thu, 25 Dec 2014 20:55:38 +0000
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