Page 119 - Glasbenopedagoški zbornik Akademije za glasbo v Ljubljani / The Journal of Music Education of the Academy of Music in Ljubljana, leto 10, zvezek 21 / Year 10, Issue 21, 2014
P. 119
rej Misson, MOŠKI ZBORI SAMA VREMŠAKA IN NJEGOVO DELOVANJE V KAMNIŠKI LIRI
SAMO VREMŠAK’S MALE-VOICE CHOIRS AND HIS ROLE IN LIRA
KAMNIK
Summary
The present paper deals with choral compositions by Samo Vremšak (1930-2004), and his
role in Lira Kamnik (1963-1993). As a composer, singer, soloist, choir conductor and
educator, he excelled in his knowledge of vocals; therefore, it should come as no surprise
that he composed almost 300 songs for adult choirs, especially for mixed and male choirs,
but only a few for female choirs. He was known for his traditional method of composing,
to which he occasionally added contemporary elements; his style changed little over the
years, retaining its characteristically expressive personal nature. The list of his works is
organised according to choir type and his original works and arrangements. The content of
compositions is diverse, although in general he tended to choose slightly older and some
contemporary well-known poets, among them Alojz Gradnik, Tone Kuntner, as well as
some politically controversial authors: France Balantiè and Ivan Hribovšek. Vremšak
excelled in his arrangements of folk songs, some of which remain at the core of choir
repertoire in Slovenia. He mainly published his works in the magazine Naši zbori, while
two compilations of his works were published in Selected Choirs in 1973, and some
recently composed songs in 2001. The Slovenian Chamber Choir conducted by Mirko
Cuderman dedicated two CDs to Vremšak in 2008. Numerous choirs recorded and
published a number of his compositions.
Further, selected male choirs are presented, underlining the composer’s rich approach
to composition and his imaginative musical speech. The composer often uses polyphony
(canon, fugato), and expressionist harmony. His works are divided into original works,
artistic works, arrangements of folk songs, and many other arrangements and
re-orchestrations; the latter contain re-orchestrated compositions for various types of
ensembles, most often from mixed to male choirs. His artistic works are very complex but
convincing in terms of artistic and musical expression. The composer thoroughly
respected the origin of folk tradition and thus his arrangements of folk songs are rather
simple and display perfect tonal harmony. Some of his original compositions are also
presented in the paper.
Finally, the Lira Kamnik society and Vremšak’s role within in it are briefly explained.
Under his conducting, the choir enjoyed success at numerous concerts and competitions
(Arezzo, Maribor), recorded two records and held many concerts, among which the
so-called “style concerts” are the most well-known. The society’s archives contain a few
of the composer’s works which were premiered by the choir in the past and still feature in
their repertoire.
119
SAMO VREMŠAK’S MALE-VOICE CHOIRS AND HIS ROLE IN LIRA
KAMNIK
Summary
The present paper deals with choral compositions by Samo Vremšak (1930-2004), and his
role in Lira Kamnik (1963-1993). As a composer, singer, soloist, choir conductor and
educator, he excelled in his knowledge of vocals; therefore, it should come as no surprise
that he composed almost 300 songs for adult choirs, especially for mixed and male choirs,
but only a few for female choirs. He was known for his traditional method of composing,
to which he occasionally added contemporary elements; his style changed little over the
years, retaining its characteristically expressive personal nature. The list of his works is
organised according to choir type and his original works and arrangements. The content of
compositions is diverse, although in general he tended to choose slightly older and some
contemporary well-known poets, among them Alojz Gradnik, Tone Kuntner, as well as
some politically controversial authors: France Balantiè and Ivan Hribovšek. Vremšak
excelled in his arrangements of folk songs, some of which remain at the core of choir
repertoire in Slovenia. He mainly published his works in the magazine Naši zbori, while
two compilations of his works were published in Selected Choirs in 1973, and some
recently composed songs in 2001. The Slovenian Chamber Choir conducted by Mirko
Cuderman dedicated two CDs to Vremšak in 2008. Numerous choirs recorded and
published a number of his compositions.
Further, selected male choirs are presented, underlining the composer’s rich approach
to composition and his imaginative musical speech. The composer often uses polyphony
(canon, fugato), and expressionist harmony. His works are divided into original works,
artistic works, arrangements of folk songs, and many other arrangements and
re-orchestrations; the latter contain re-orchestrated compositions for various types of
ensembles, most often from mixed to male choirs. His artistic works are very complex but
convincing in terms of artistic and musical expression. The composer thoroughly
respected the origin of folk tradition and thus his arrangements of folk songs are rather
simple and display perfect tonal harmony. Some of his original compositions are also
presented in the paper.
Finally, the Lira Kamnik society and Vremšak’s role within in it are briefly explained.
Under his conducting, the choir enjoyed success at numerous concerts and competitions
(Arezzo, Maribor), recorded two records and held many concerts, among which the
so-called “style concerts” are the most well-known. The society’s archives contain a few
of the composer’s works which were premiered by the choir in the past and still feature in
their repertoire.
119
