Ritual & Ecstasy - SWR Vokalensemble - Opening concert Whitsun Festival St. Johann

The concert evening is designed like a pilgrimage and combines intense and meditative choral music from very different countries, cultures and religions. It begins with "Roncesvalles" from "Path of Miracles" by Joby Talbot, a musical portrait of the French town of Roncesvalles, an important stop on the Way of St. James. Samuel Barber's "Agnus Dei" connects Americans with the mourning of John F. Kennedy and 9/11. As a theological reflection, György Kurtàg's homage to his friend and fellow composer Luigi Nono is at the center of this composed pilgrimage path - the Russian poet Rimma Dalos questions texts by the apostle Paul in a lyrical and very personal way. The prayer "Ne'ila" comes from the Jewish tradition and traditionally concludes the highest Jewish holiday Yom Kippur; and with Georgy Sviridov's "Hymns and Prayers", the sounds of Russian Orthodox popular piety conclude the evening.

Copyright: Lena Semmelroggen