Ukri
by Aarre Merikanto
Mieskuorolle ja orkesterille
Description
Ukri, for male choir and orchestra, is the largest single vocal work ever written by Aarre Merikanto. It is based on the poem Ukri by Eino Leino published in 1916 describing an arrogant, defiant tribal leader way back in history who roamed the boundless steppes of Asia and finally fell victim to his own arrogance. The defiance in Ukri was, according to Merikanto, what influenced the work most of all. "At least I have written it with a burning love for this magnificent, manly [poem] by Eino Leino." The music of Merikanto does indeed tell the story of the tribal chief with relentless force, in simple, direct tones, often to a march-like beat.
© Kimmo Korhonen, March 2000
(translated by © Susan Sinisalo)
Mieskuorolle ja orkesterille sävelletty Ukri on Merikannon laajin yksittäinen vokaaliteos. Sen lähtökohtana on ollut Eino Leinon Helkavirsiä-kokoelman jälkimmäiseen, vuonna 1916 ilmestyneeseen niteeseen kuuluva runo Ukri, joka kuvaa kaukaisessa menneisyydessä, "Aasian iki-aroilla, rannoilla rajattomilla" elävää korskean uhmakasta ja lopulta omaan yli-ihmisyyteensä sortuvaa heimojohtajaa. Merikannon mukaan "Ukrissa ilmenevä uhma on ehkä eniten vaikuttanut teoksen sävelkieleen. Olen sen ainakin tehnyt palavalla rakkaudella tätä Eino Leinon mahtavan miehekästä Helkavirttä kohtaan". Merikannon musiikki kertookin heimopäällikön tarinan karulla voimalla, yksinkertaisin ja suoraviivaisin sävyin, usein marssimaisen poljennon tahdittamana.
© Kimmo Korhonen, 3/2000
Instrumentation 2222 4330 11 0, str, chm [fl+pic, 2cl in B+ 2cl in A, fag+cfag.]
Instrument codes
Abbreviation | Instrument |
Woodwind | |
acl | alto clarinet |
afl | alto flute |
arec | alto recorder |
asax | alto saxophone |
barsax | baritone saxophone |
barhn | baritone horn |
bcl | bass clarinet |
bfl | bass flute |
bob | bass oboe |
bsax | bass saxophone |
bsn | bassoon |
cbsn | contrabassoon |
cl | clarinet |
ehn | English horn |
fl | flute |
hn | French horn |
ob | oboe |
pic | piccolo |
rec | recorder |
sax | saxophone |
srec | soprano recorder |
ssax | soprano saxophone |
trec | tenor recorder |
tsax | tenor saxophone |
Brass | |
ahn | alto horn |
atrb | altotrombone |
barhn | baritone horn |
btrb | bass trombone |
cornet | cornet |
euph | euphonium |
fhn | flugelhorn |
hn | French horn |
tba | tuuba |
thn | tenor horn |
trb | trombone |
trp | trumpet |
Percussion | |
dr | drums |
glock | glockenspiel |
mar | marimba |
perc | percussion |
timp | timpani |
vibr | vibraphone |
xyl | xylophone |
Strings | |
db | double bass |
gamba | viola da gamba |
str | strings |
vla | viola |
vlc | cello |
vln | violin |
Other | |
acc | accordion |
cel | celesta |
cemb | harpsichord |
chords | chords |
elbas | electric bass |
elg | electric guitar |
elorg | electric organ |
elpno | electric piano |
guit | guitar |
harm | harmonium |
hca | harmonica |
hp | harp |
instr | instrument |
kantele | kantele |
keyb | keyboard |
live electr | live electronics |
mand | mandolin |
mel | melody |
org | organ |
pno | piano |
synth | synthesizer |
tape | tape |
Vocal | |
alto | alto |
baryt | baritone |
basso | bass voice |
ch | choir |
chc | childrens choir |
chf | female choir |
chm | male choir |
chx | mixed choir |
cten | countertenor |
mezzo | mezzo-soprano |
sopr | soprano |
speaker | speaker |
ten | tenor |
voc | vocal |
Coding for instrument ensembles and orchestras
Symphony orchestra | |
2222 4331 11 1, str = 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 4 French horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, timpani, one other percussionist, harp and strings |
Wind band | |
2252 3 423 21212 3 = 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 5 clarinets, 2 bassoons - 3 saxophones - 4 French horns, 2 trumpets, 3 trombones - 2 cornets, alto horn, 2 tenor horns, baritone horn, 2 tubas - 3 percussionists |
Big band | |
221 4 4, pno, guit, db, dr = 2 alto saxophones, 2 tenor saxophones, baritone saxophone, 4 trumpets, 4 trombones, piano, guitar, double bass, drums |
Additional codes | |
+ | fl+pic = flutist doubles on piccolo |
/ | pno/org = can be played on either piano or organ |
lib | ad libitum |
obl | obligato |
str | str: 65432 = specified number of string players |
str min | str min: 65432 = at least 65432 |
str max | str max: 65432 = not more than 65432 |
solo | vln solo = violin is the solo instrument in a work not obviously for solo violin |
Category Vocal and Choral Works
Language Fi
Lyricist Eino Leino
Prizes 2nd prize in a composition competition by Laulu-Miehet
Premiere
Laulu-Miehet, cond. Martti Turunen, Helsinki (Finland) 1945
Commisioned by / dedications Dedicated to Martti Turunen
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