On "Roselil og hendes moder" - (2018)   

for piano

for Karen and Jan Petersen

 

An anonymous Danish folk melody sings a small Danish story, the text written by poet and dramatist Christian Knud Frederik Molbech (1821–1888). I learned of the tune while in conversation with Karen and Jan Jacobsen, and because Karen is an artist and Jan a musician, the notion of a "musical aquarelle" came to mind as an addition to some small piano essays on various melodies from around the world. I asked Karen for a favorite Danish melody, and this title was her reply.

 

Christian Knud Frederik Molbech

 

Molbech's set of verses tells of  "Roselil' og hendes moder" -- Roselil 'and her mother  --  when a suitor named Peder comes to learn that in order to marry Roselil, the trees in the yard must bloom golden flowers. Peder laughs (as did Roselil with the refrain which repeats in the poem, "Ha, ha, ha! Så, så, så, så!). Peder puts gold rings on each garden tree, and "so" Roselil must marry him. "Da kyssed hendes læber hr. Peder med list: Den ler dog nok bedst, som ler til sidst.."  There are six strophes to the verse, with the moral that he who laughs last, laughs best.

 

 

2 pages, circa 4' 00" - an MP3 demo is here: 

 

The score is available as a free PDF download, though any major commercial performance or recording of the work is prohibited without prior arrangement with the composer. Click on the graphic below for this piano score.

 

On "Roselil og hendes moder"