Nikolaj Roslawez

Na poljach

In the days of Roslawez, the use of lyrical texts in Russian choral music was an exception. Traditionally, sacred liturgical texts were preferred in choral singing. Roslawez composed only a few choral works anyway, so this excellent cantabile piece is a real treasure. The poem 'Na poljach' (In the Fields) was written by the Russian poet Pyotr Oreshin. Little solo parts answered by the tutti, charming harmonies and a floating rhythm result in an Impressionist tonal image. The piece is quite easy to sing and will bring pleasure to both performers and listeners.Roslawez studied composition and violin in Moscow. He was among the leading figures of the musical scene in the 1920s. Treated more and more with hostility for political reasons and eventually barred from pursuing his career, he spent the last years of his life in poverty.