A short analysis of “The Dunes” by Per Nørgård

by Anders Flodin

While I was analyzing this short piano composition by Per Nørgård, I received news that Per had passed away. His music, thoughts, ideas, which have been an unlimited sphere in which I have moved freely in all directions, will continue to exist. I feel very grateful for his friendship and as an irreplaceable inspiration and creative force. Buon viaggio, Per.

The story “Babette’s Feast” by Karen Blixen and later (1987) made into a film by Gabriel Axel tells the story of two devout sisters in a remote Danish village who take in Babette, a French refugee. After inheriting money, Babette prepares a lavish, multi-course French meal for the sisters and their community, transforming their austere lives and revealing her past as a celebrated chef. The feast, a sensual and spiritual experience, breaks down inhibitions and brings joy and reconciliation to the villagers, highlighting the power of art and generosity.

The film’s opening features a short piano composition titled The Dunes. The composition consists of twelve measures, where the first four measures can be designated as A, measures five and six as A¹ (quasi eco is written), measures seven and ten as a return to the A section, and measures eleven and twelve as a coda (or codetta). The composition is in 6/4 time and has a tempo mark of Andantino.

In the two opening bars, a melody is presented with a mixture of major and minor second intervals and a major third. It is dance-like in character and is repeated throughout the composition with variations and rhythmic filtering. In the lower part, a twelve-tone row is presented divided into four parts with three notes in each part. The first three notes f^♭, d^♭, a^♭ in a downward motion, the second three-note part f, g, c is presented in a V-shape, the third three-note part g^♭, e^♭, c^♭ is also in a downward motion and the fourth and final three-note part with a Ʌ-shape with the lowest note b^♭ which is then followed by the notes d and a. This pattern is repeated throughout the composition. In the middle part, the twelve-tone row is filtered down to become a melody with even numbers in the series; 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, (11) and 12 which are repeated once more and in the concluding Coda (or rather Codetta) the series’ odd numbers 1, 3, (4), 5, 7 are presented. 

References

Nørgård, Per (1987), Babette’s feast – Two small piano pieces The Dunes/The Homecoming, Edition Wilhelm Hansen, Copenhagen 

Boje Mortensen in interview with Per Nørgård (2016): https://evs-musikstiftung.ch/en/music-prize/per-norgard/per-norgard-interview/ [2025-05-28]