Nils Vigeland: Two Norwegian Folksongs SSA(A)

For treble voices in three and four parts (SSA/A).

Two Norwegian Folksongs was commisioned by the Young People's Chorus of New York City, Francisco Nunez, director. The melodies were found in a two-volume collection Norges Melodies, published by Norsk Musikvorlag A/S Oslo, Norway.

The first song, Baka kaka sote (Bake a sweet cake) is a legato lullaby, the undulating two-note figure throughout suggesting not only the repititive activity of the stirring of batter, but also the rocking of a cradle. In each of the verses, a different part has the melody while the other parts are derived imitatively.

The second song Aa desse gamle kjærringar (Oh these old women) should be sung with great rhythmic precision. Here, the parts evoke the chatter of gossip and the articulation should be staccato. In the second part of the verse where the Treble III & IV sing in eighth notes, the three note groups should be clearly set off against the soprano melody.