Rolf Rudin “… UNTIL INFINITY …”

Frank Ticheli
ANGELS IN THE ARCHITECTURE

David Maslanka
LIBERATION

The concert program illuminates in a very personal and therefore different way the preoccupation of important composers of symphonic wind music with spiritual questions about the afterlife and existence after earthly life. Each work is performed by different vocal ensembles.

David Maslanka uses three Gregorian chorales sung by a male choir as a musical starting point in “Liberation” (2010) with a life after death. The source is a responsorial chant that has its origins in the celebration of Matins (Christian night prayer). In contrast to this celebration of birth and optimism, the text used, “Libera Me”, is one that reflects seriously on death and the eternity of the afterlife.

The work “Angels in the Architecture” by Frank Ticheli unfolds as a dramatic conflict between the two extremes of human existence – the divine and the evil. It begins with a single voice (mezzo-soprano) singing the 19th century Shaker song “I am an angel of light”: this “angel” – represented by the singer – frames the work, surrounding it with a protective wall of light and establishing the divine. Other representations of light – played by instruments rather than sung – include a traditional Hebrew peace song (“Hevenu Shalom Aleicham”) and the well-known 16th century Genevan Psalter, “Old Hundredth”. These three borrowed songs are intended to represent the universal
human ideals of peace, hope and love. In contrast, turbulent, fast music appears as a symbol of darkness, death and spiritual doubt.

The main work “… bis ins Unendliche …” by Rolf Rudin is written for up to eight-part female choir and large symphonic wind orchestra. Rudin’s intensive examination of the fate of one of his artistic role models, Vincent van Gogh, led to this four-movement work. “Vincent’s attitudes to various phenomena such as love, religion and death and much more” (Rudin, Rolf) form the source of inspiration for the composition. Rudin continues: “So Vincent always hits me deep in my soul and gives me confidence and inspiration for this piece, for my life and for my work. What could be better? – So we live on and possibly – hopefully! – IN THE INFINITE …

Musical direction: Jens Weismantel

Performers: Wind Philharmonic Rhein Main, Women’s Choir, Men’s Choir, Mezzo-soprano: Diana Christ