Leichen Im Priesterwald
Timothy J. Brown
About this work: The poem by Ernst Toller,
Leichen im Priesterwald, makes reference to the men of France and the men of Germany being locked together in an embrace of death. For that reason, much of the musical material in this work is derived from the national anthems of the two countries at the time of World War I,
La Marseillaise, and
Deutschland, Deutschland,Über Alles. (Since World War II, Germany has had a different set of words set to the same music.) The opening themes of the two anthems are taken backwards, and then alternated note for note between each other. In this manner a sort of tone row is devised as the foundation of Leichen im Priesterwald. It is set in shifting meter with varying accents, and contains sustained sections reminscent of Arvo Pärt.
This work is from a larger set of 10 pieces, but may be performed independently. Contact the composer for more informaton.
Year composed: 2003
Duration: 00:10:00
Ensemble type: Voice, Solo or With Chamber or Jazz Ensemble:Voice with Chamber/Jazz Ensemble, 6-9 Players
Instrumentation: 1 Oboe, 1 Piano, 1 Violin, 1 Viola, 1 Cello, 1 Soprano
Instrumentation notes: Coloratura. Set in German. Rhythmically challenging.