Anna Thorvaldsdottir - Heyr þú oss himnum á

Heyr þú oss himnum á (2005) for choir
Music by Anna Thorvaldsdottir
Written from an old Icelandic psalm
Performed by Hljómeyki chamber choir, studio recording from 2005
www.annathorvalds.com

[@StacyNYC]

Just got a packet of music from our choir director of pieces we're going to be learning, and this one was among them. What a pleasure this is going to be.

[@jamesberry4514]

Great medicine for our world these days.

[@ARIZJOE]

Ms. Thorvaldsdottir, you are wonderful. You makes us think about our place in the Universe, at one with nature, and each other.

[@tiziocaio2631]

It was such an honor performing this piece in one of Genoa's national galleries. A piece that will always stay with me as a shining example of the new works in choral music.

[@twangbarfly]

I was on a tedious car trip the other day when this piece came on - I was absolutely transported on a journey within a journey. Beautiful, beautiful harmonies and creation. Thank you!

[@gts9920]

What a wonderfully executed example of this beautiful piece of music. I first heard this performed by the Hamer Singers in Melbourne and will never forget it.

[@EmpyreanLightASMR]

I have a Russian title that I translated from English, then I translated the Russian version to Greek, and then Googled the Greek version and the results that came up were your music. I wasn't even looking for music, but yours is incredible. Fortune leads us on different roads, sometimes on gravel, sometimes electronically.

[@pierreyvesc1206]

This piece is wonderful, Anna. Reflecting spirituality, beauty of my beloved Iceland, incredible depth, and definitely something that can heal the souls.

[@HawkMillFarm]

My daughter’s choir Commotio (of Oxford) sung this last night as part of their 20th anniversary concert. It is a stunning piece, as it finished I just thought WOW. ❤️

[@PieterVossen3]

HBM m mol

[@laurencejames8108]

Had trouble sleeping-it's 4:08 AM- visiting my two dear sons, who live and work in Hanoi. Was reading Alex Ross's year end review in the New Yorker and came across reference to composer - Already, the carts are being pushed by our( I identify so much with my children( 33 and 24 ) house just off Lo Duc street. Some of the cocks have already begun crowing and I've found myself total entranced- and surrounded by the warmth and charm of Vietnam, I come from Bach and Mozart and Arvo Part and Steve Reich- but mostly the 19th century but also Indian Classical music - and this music is absolutely wonderful. I am ready to replay and explore more. I thank you , Anna. I see you follow the commentators , for such a gift. My eldest son has lived and worked in Asia for 7 years, having been recruited by a school in Malaysia. I simply wanted to say that your music fits so wonderfully here. If I can be so presumptuous , and if you have not visited , I would encourage Hanoi, especially, and the countryside. Also, Newfoundland, my home, as it has a home there, as well - I expect it will find a home everywhere. Thanks to Alex Ross, a great writer for leading me here to your wonder full music.

[@williamgunnarsson]

Dear Mr. James, I wish to introduce you to other Icelandic music. You MUST hear the Icelandic National Anthem sung by the Karlakór Reykjavíkur or by the Fóstbræður men's choir. You need to listen to "Finlandia" performed at the great concert hall HARP in Reykjavík, Iceland. Another fabulous piece is the Icelandic song called, " Heyr Himna Smiður " , the lyrics of which were written by an old Icelandic Viking on his death bed, having been severely wounded in battle 800+ years ago. One of the finest pieces of music I have ever heard. All of these can be found on the internet. Please, if you can, listen to them all and let me know what you think. I have a feeling that we are soul-brothers when it comes to all things beautiful!

[@laurencejames8108]

@@williamgunnarsson Thanks so much, Mr. Gunnarsson . very helpful- back in Canada awaiting visa to get back to sons and grandchildren in Vietnam. My wife ans I have become well practiced in the fine Art of Patience. Also the consolation of the trump loss lessens the challenges

[@williamgunnarsson]

I hope you were able to listen to my suggestions. They are all so beautiful. Wish you and your wife God's speed going back home. Thank you for your reply.

[@bertcarter6176]

One of the most exquisite choral works I’ve heard in decades. Thanks!

[@hiatus4770]

I keep coming back to this again and again, to listen and to sing - a landscape of sound.

[@sandrasmith2581]

souls yearning in sounds ethereal

[@esarfmij]

exquisite . . . even without knowing the words, sacred beauty caresses the listener

[@annathorvalds]

thanks for the warm words

[@hoblogbicycling]

@@annathorvalds you make wonderful pieces of art. Thank you! 🙏🏻

[@ViziApps]

ethereal and intimate - just sublime.

[@reentjekay7597]

I just heard this on KUSC while coming back from the grocery store... just the kind of spiritual restoration I needed. Beautiful song. Thank you so much. I will explore more about your compositions and wish you a successful career!

[@peterwoolliams1283]

Every choice of harmony is just spot on! Perfect.

[@sandrasmith2581]

dear Anna, your music is a testament to this: as only God knows the hearts of human-kind, so then does the wounded soul seek out and find the healing Presence that knows its need

[@amermanmark]

There are times of which the human mind and soul cannot comprehend the gravity of what it immersing our world. It is much like the birch whose bark peels away revealing new skin as seasons change. With no conscious effort to what the environment around it will experience - it does - because it is. Imagine hearing this masterpiece in one's mind and soul. Then with no conscious effort peeling back the season, and revealing it to a world so distant from its understanding. These are the days that Miss Anna Thorvaldsdottir subdues. From within her essence pours effortless consciousness of life's vibrations. I hear you - and I thank you.

[@reginaldmolethrasher437]

Think you need to consult a dictionary here and there, but a nice sentiment.

[@Rasperdan]

The multi tone blend is so beautiful ....... I have never been touched in this way by sound. Thank you very much Anna.

[@WilliamFord972]

Hearing a strictly tonal piece by this wonderful composer is quite a great thing to hear. So beautiful.

[@jasontiller]

We are singing this right now! Thank you for your rich soundscape.

[@streetlightmani101]

I heard this just now played on classical KUSC91.5 for international women’s day, and had to come here to hear it again immediately after. I can’t even say how gorgeous this piece is and how happy I am to know about it now. Thank you!

[@RaiStarDragon]

I heard this too and had to look it up myself.

[@donasaunders3047]

Sublime! Thank you!

[@Baruch2006]

Amazing.

[@MothShadow]

beautiful...

[@sandramkelly]

Just bloody stunning!

[@lulusaintly631]

Stunning

[@gypsyqueen4455]

So beautiful

[@annawilhelm9697]

Wonderful.

[@musicandyceramist]

Love the scansion of the lyrics

[@AnayaMusic]

Awesome work! Loved👏👏🎼🎼👏👏👏👏

[@minissa2009]

OMG, just heard this via internet on Boston Public's new Extra Eclectic (Skylark Ensemble) and had to have more. Thank you, Paul Ritterhoff for the English translation. What an experience to have words and music and this breathtaking image. I'm thinking this is what one sees and hears in the eternal realm, the seam of sunlight on the mountains being the actual entrance to the Kingdom. Thank you, Anna for this incredible choral work. You've joined my list of favorite choral composers (which includes Tallis, de Victoria, and Part, so you're in good company!) You're interpreting the voices of angels with this.

[@maryrosekent8223]

minissa2009, you might also want to check out Morten Lauridsen. I have had the honor of singing his Lux Aeterna under his baton...it’s one of the most glorious pieces I’ve performed in 35 years choral singing.

[@minissa2009]

Thank you so much, I will do so. I used to do a lot of choral singing, but family commitments kind of shuffled that aside. The child of two musicians, our son is essentially tone deaf! (I used to hope we could do at least folk harmonies when his voice matured, but the Universe had other ideas...) When I want to challenge myself and be surrounded by glorious harmonies, I pull out the text I have of Tallis's Spem in Allium and attempt to sight read!

[@maryrosekent8223]

Spem In Alium is some serious shit!

[@minissa2009]

Have you seen the score? I have it on ledger-sized paper and it's still smaller than you'd like if trying to read it. I've heard Carmina Burana is similar

[@maryrosekent8223]

Re Carmina: If you have the full score, yes; I’ve always used the chorus-specific score, which doesn’t include the orchestral parts, just a little feeder line indicating what comes right before the chorus entrance.

[@MrCthur]

I heard a version of this, or perhaps this version, driving out of Montreal on an early Sunday morning March 2019. Absolutely surreal experience as I exit the city and passed the last whisps of industrial steam and transitioned so abruptly into the flatness towards Vermont. I have been unable to find this recording in physical media since. If anyone can point me towards it, I would be very appreciative.

[@Juliemorgana]

I have put the title into Google Translate and got the response "Hear us in Heaven". What an interesting piece; I would like to know more about it.

[@WilliamFord972]

You know, I was originally thinking it meant "Hear thou our hymn," because of "himnum."

[@Juliemorgana]

After reading your comment, I put the second word ("þú") into google translate, and it does mean "thou" or "you". So, it is literally "Hear thou us in Heaven."

[@RuteNorte]

🔥

[@victoriathorlacius874]

Þetta verk er 👌🏻🔥

[@xris9593]

Such noble music, such fine voices. There is nothing like a good Icelandic bass, except maybe the rest of the singers in such a good Icelandic choir! What is in the view in the picture?

[@songflokkurinnhljomeyki8157]

Thank you :) More from the choir on our youtube page.

[@kiddi93]

It looks like the mountain Esja(often called Esjan) which is viewable from Reykjavík. Im fairly certain it is Esjan

[@Gudmundur]

Get hlustað á þetta endalaust. Dásamlegt verk og söngur.

[@SomeUnsoberIdiot]

Ég næ ekki einu einasta orði, en ég er vel hrifinn

[@TheTinebee]

Schön

[@QHarefield]

why can't we see how many Likes it has received?

[@WilliamFord972]

Does anyone have an English translation of this?

[@Wolfkiller]

Just heard this on the radio and the guy called it "Beyond The Veil" not sure if that's correct though.

[@Juliemorgana]

+Wolfkiller - Google Translate said the title "Heyr þú oss himnum á" means "Hear us in Heaven"

[@WilliamFord972]

+Julie Morgana That looks intuitively correct. I'm also wondering if anyone has the rest of the lyrics - in Icelandic and English.

[@paulritterhoff8456]

Heyr þú oss himnum á,hýr vor faðir, börn þín smá,lukku oss þar til ljá,líf eilíft þér erfum hjá,og að þér aldrei flæmumst frá. Þitt ríki þróist hér,það þín stjórn og kristni er,svo að menn sem flestir,safnist Guð til handa þér,fegnir yfir því fögnum vér. Síst skarta sönglist má,sé þar ekki elskan hjá.Syngjum því lof þá, þér himnum á.Maður rétt kristinn mun þess gá. En þegar aumir vér,öndumst burt úr heimi hér,oss tak þá Guð að þér,í þá dýrð sem aldrei þver.Amen, amen, það eflaust sker. Hear us in heaven, loving Father,as we, your small children,ask for the fortune to receive eternal life.We shall not stray from your path. May we help your kingdom to grow here on earth.Following your guidance, we gather around in your name,and gladly celebrate. We cannot make a joyful songunless we are moved by love.So let us sing our gentle praise to you, Lord God, in heaven,as the truly faithful have done. When our poor souls pass away from this world,take us God to you, into your everlasting glory.Amen, Amen, may this be done.

[@minissa2009]

Paul---I versed all of your Icelandic and English translation and was surprised to see the Icelandic actually rhymes! Am using it to try to learn this by brute force. Do you happen to know if it exists as sheet music?

[@johnkelly3886]

Which psalm is it?

[@tigger8252]

It's not a biblical psalm, but one written by the Icelandic 16th century poet, Olafur á Söndum.

[@johnkelly3886]

@@tigger8252 Thanks

[@chrisrus1965]

So bleek.

[@TheRabbleChorus]

We have an interesting performance of this coming up. I have a community group who has only ever rehearsed this online using Jacktrip tech & will be having only a single rehearsal face to face (wearing name tags as they’ve not all met!) before singing in a beautiful church at Christmas! Will share if it goes well!

[@enricobertola]

How did it go?