Svendsen, Johan

Zwei Könige sassen auf Orkdal

Zwei Könige sassen auf Orkdal

JSV 31

This is a short melodrama for string quartet and recitation to a poem by Emanuel von Geibel (1815–1884), probably written during Svendsen’s studies in Leipzig, sometime between December 1863 and June 1867. Before 1860, many operas incorporated melodramatic episodes, but short melodramas for the concert hall were still a relatively recent genre. Svendsen’s scoring – recitation with string quartet – was also quite unique. Some of the works that may have inspired Svendsen are Franz Schubert’s Abschied von der Erde, D. 829 (1826), Robert Schumann’s Schön Hedwig, Op. 106 (1849), and Franz Liszt’s Lenore, S. 346 (1860), all written for recitation and piano.

The battle of Orkdal is mentioned in Snorri Sturluson’s history of the Norse kings, Heimskringla. King Sverre Sigurdsson (c. 1150–1202) was in dispute with the child king Magnus V and his father, Erling Skakke. In Orkdal, King Sverre moved both their ships ashore and set fire to them. It may have been this link between the Norse sagas and the German poem that fascinated Svendsen.

Composition: Start date 1867-06.

Leipzig
On the part for Violin II there is a note in pencil in Svendsen's handwriting:
J. Svendsen Universitäts Strasse No 11 1ste Etage.
This was Svendsen's address during his studies in Leipzig, so it is very likely that the work is composed before June 1867, when he left Leipzig.

Maestoso

Key: C minor

Extent: ca. 5 min.

Sources

A: Score, autograph

[Classification: notated music, manuscript, autograph, score, draft]

3 pages; 25,5x33,7 cm.

Hand ruled music paper, 16 staves
Unpaginated

Written in pencil (Johan Svendsen).

N-Oum (National Library of Norway, Oslo, Norway) Mus.ms. 7880. Facsimile

A^PTS: Parts, autograph

[Classification: notated music, manuscript, autograph, parts, fair copy]

25x34 cm.

Hand ruled music paper, 16 staves
Unpaginated
The parts are quite legible and complete. There is one page per part
At the back of the Violin I part is a sketch in A major, (2/4 meter, 34 bars)

Four parts: Violino 1mo, Violino 2do, Viola, Cello

Written in ink (Johan Svendsen) and pencil (Johan Svendsen).

N-Oum (National Library of Norway, Oslo, Norway) Mus.ms. 7880. Facsimile