The Legend of Ramund
4-Part - Digital Sheet Music

Choral Choir (SATB) - Digital Download

SKU: A0.1007125

Composed by Mogens Eliasen. Folk,Romantic Period. Octavo. 40 pages. Soverenity Enterprises Inc. #2948289. Published by Soverenity Enterprises Inc. (A0.1007125).

The 40-page score is a choral symphony with a powerful lesson to modern people, based
on an old Danish folk song about the young super-hero Ramund.  The score is dense with
contents, both musically and lyrically, and alone for that reason, the 8-minute performance
takes an advanced choir.

The original folk song dates back to the Viking age and consist of many episodes of
Ramund's life, almost like a personal saga. Some have undoubtedly been added later,
making the total number of stanzas go up around 50, but the main idea of the song is
to report about a young lad, whose ideas of what is right for him to do or not do
are completely unaffected by other people's opinions, including those of royalties and
celebrities. The stories are in many regards comparable to those of Beowolf.

Although the stories generally are dramatic and bloody, Ramund always retains his
cool attitude and shows how unimpressed he is with power demonstrations, even his
own when he is provoked to use his strength. It is a common element throughout the
stories that Ramund detests evil and aggression, and he goes to great lengths to fight
power abusers and aggressive elements. He just wants to live in peace and not have
to be bothered by all those who like to abuse power!

Included in this presentation for piano and 8 voices are 11 stanzas from what is believed
to be original, in English translation, with focus on clarity of meaning, more so than
poetical rules and rhymes. The first ruling concept has been to obtain clarity and a
great fit to the music. The second concept has been to add the inspiration this old folk
song has created in the mind of a modern rebel who would like to see some of
Ramund's attitude to power and power abusers put into action in our modern corrupt
society. Maybe in a less bloody version, but definitely with a similar effect! The added
2 stanzas and the attached coda, as well as the added lyrics to the intermezzos and the
incorporated commentaries to the action should serve that purpose.

In addition, the original tune itself, as well as the lyrics and the intermezzo, have
inspired some musical development throughout the piece, to further accentuate the
meaning and the messages about respecting each other, standing together against
abuse, and not letting power abusers get away with their crimes.

The 8 voices cover ranges as follows:
     First sopranos: C4 through Bb5 (possibly G5);
     Second sopranos: C4 through E5;
     All altos: G3 through D5;
     All tenors: C3 through G#4(possibly F#4);
     First basses: F2 through D4;
     Second basses: D2 through B3