Ola Gjeilo (pronounced Yay-lo) (b. 1978) is a 21st-century pianist and composer who has changed the face of contemporary choir music. His compositions whisk the listener away on a journey full of emotion and beauty. Gjeilo is one of my favorite modern choir composers, so let’s learn more about him and his music.
About Ola Gjeilo
Born and raised in Norway, Gjeilo’s interest in music began at a young age. He started playing the piano and composing as soon as he could reach the piano keys, and as a teen he took composition lessons from fellow Norwegian composer Wolfgang Plagge. After studying at the Norwegian Academy of Music, the Juilliard School, and the Royal College of Music, Gjeilo now resides as a freelance composer in New York City.
For more information about him, read here.
Gjeilo’s Musical Style
Gjeilo’s compositional style is often described as evocative and cinematic with lush harmonies, something he developed after gleaning inspiration from living in America. His music incorporates aspects from jazz to Gregorian chant to film to architecture to nature.
Gjeilo has composed over 70 works for solo piano and choir. Here are some of my favorite compositions by him:
Sunrise Mass
This stunning work for choir and string orchestra is four movements, each of which tells a unique story. I’ve written an analysis of it already, so click here to read that.
The Rose
The Rose sets a poem by Christina Rossetti (1830-1894) to piano and string quartet, and it is full of gorgeous harmonies supporting a haunting melody.
*Music theory: One of the things I love about The Rose is the ending! At 3:13, the final cadence is a v-i-I (A minor – E minor – E Major). Usually, music in a minor key signature ends with a major V chord followed by a minor i (in this case, it would be an A Major chord before the E minor one). However, folk music often substitutes the major V for the minor v, and that’s what Gjeilo did here. And he transitions from a minor i to a major I using a Picardy third, which is unexpected and wonderful!
Serenity (O Magnum Mysterium)
This work uses aspects of Sunrise Mass to help tell the story of Christmas through the popular lyrics of O Magnum Mysterium. The slow rhythms, changing dynamics, and beautiful harmonies create mystery and awe as if we were witnessing the scene presented in the text. Overlapping textures (like in Sunrise Mass) simultaneously create depth and light. “Serene” is the right word to describe this piece.
Ave Generosa
This choral piece is a harmonic reworking of the Medieval chant Ave Generosa by Saint Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1197) in the 12th century.
*Fun fact: as a nun, Hildegard worked as a scientist, musician, composer, poet, philosopher, playwright, and more.
Hildegard’s compositions were Gregorian chant (because she was a nun and chants were how they incorporated music into worship services back then). Here is the original chant Ave Generosa:
Click here for the text used and the English translation.
January
Along with choral works, Ola Gjeilo has also composed many solo piano pieces. January captures the raw beauty characteristic of his musical style, yet there is something warm and fresh about this piece. The continuous ostinato in the bass supports a lyrical melody, and the whole effect is calming.
Piano Improvisations
The cool thing about this piano album is that Gjeilo improvises each piece. Some of the improvs are completely original, while others he improvised over his own choral works. Listen for the syncopated rhythms and jazz chords.
Click here to read more about Piano Improvisations.
Which piece by Ola Gjeilo is your favorite?
I LOVE Gjeilo! I had the opportunity to sing a few of his choral works during my studies at the conservatory. My all time favourites being dark night of the soul and luminous night of the soul.
So amazing! I love those two pieces as well. He has such a unique and beautiful composing style.