In Lithuania, Advent is a grim time of year, with only 7-8 hours of sunlight in the depth of winter. Traditionally, it was a time of contemplation, repaying debts, looking for good omens, and divining who will marry in the coming year. In the Dzūkija region, there is a tradition of folk songs and ritualistic dances during the Advent season. These songs have a mystical quality, with texts that often feature totemic animals and natural phenomena paired with themes of matchmaking and marriage.
Performance note: The word leliumai is a non-lexical vocable (or nonsense word) associated with Advent songs. Its repetition (and the strong invocation provided by its melodic line) gives the folk song a ritualistic character. This call should always be sung firmly, but with reverence. Throughout the piece, an expressive and sensitive legato will be your most powerful tool.
- Voicing: SATB
- Duration: 4' 50"
- Language: Lithuanian
- Level: Intermediate
- Availability: Use the contact form to request a PDF/license.
