Matias & Mahler take us to heaven

World Premiere by Matias

19:00, Friday, June 21

About the Concert

English:

In the same way that Mahler draws inspiration from folkloric poetry in the finale of his symphony, where a soprano sings the text "Das himmlische Leben" about a child's vision of heaven, I also intend to draw from a folkloric historical source in my work.

For some time, I have felt that there was inspiration to be found in the medieval motif "assault on the castle of love," as depicted in paintings and carvings from the 12th century. It is a somewhat cryptic scene where a group of knights attempt to capture a miniature castle guarded by women. Their only weapons are flowers, cakes, spices, and fragrant oils. I wish to use this cheerful scene as inspiration for an overture-like piece that can open the festival's main concert in a festive manner.

The piece will be titled "ASSAULT ON THE CASTLE OF LOVE" and will incorporate sound elements from Mahler's 4th symphony - for example, the sound of sleigh bells from the first movement or the muted violin from the second movement.

Matias Vestergård

Danish:

På samme måde som Mahler henter inspiration i folkloristisk poesi i finalen af sin symfoni, hvor en sopran synger teksten “Das himmlische Leben” om et barns vision om himlen, vil jeg også i mit værk gribe tilbage til en folkelig historisk inspirationskilde. 

Jeg har længe følt, at der var noget inspiration at hente i det middelalderlige motiv “anslag mod kærlighedens slot", som man kan finde i malerier og billedskærerarbejder fra 1100-tallet. Det er et lettere kryptisk optrin, hvor en række riddere skal forsøge at indtage et miniature-slot, bevogtet af kvinder. Som våben har de kun blomster, kager, krydderier og duftende olier. Denne muntre scene vil jeg bruge som inspiration til et overture-agtigt værk, som kan åbne festivalens største koncert på en festlig måde. 

Værket får titlen ASSAULT ON THE CASTLE OF LOVE og vil benytte klanglige elementer fra Mahlers 4. symfoni - fx lyden af bjældeklang fra første sats, eller den forstemte violin fra anden sats.

Matias Vestergård

Lineup

Matias Vestergård:
“DIE WELT OHNE SCHWERE" 

(working title)

Clara Cecilie Thomsen (soprano), Nicholas Swensen (conductor), Anna Agafia (violin), Selma Teilmann (violin), Michael Grolid (viola), Jonathan Swensen (cello), Einārs Everss (double bass), Jonas Frølund (clarinet), Katrin Mathiesen (clarinet), Erika Tani (oboe), Kaja Marie Andersen (flute), Bjarke Schousboe (bassoon), Victor Koch (trumpet), Stephen Craigen (horn), Kasper Thaarup (trombone), Lorenzo Colombo (percussion), Marta Sogetti (percussion), Zach Hatcher (harp)

Gustav Mahler: Symphony no. 4

(arr. for chamber orchestra by Iain Farrington)

Clara Cecilie Thomsen (soprano), Nicholas Swensen (conductor), Anna Agafia (violin), Selma Teilmann (violin), Michael Grolid (viola), Jonathan Swensen (cello), Einārs Everss (double bass), Jonas Frølund (clarinet), Erika Tani (oboe), Kaja Marie Andersen (flute), Bjarke Schousboe (bassoon), Victor Koch (trumpet), Stephen Craigen (horn), Kasper Thaarup (trombone), Lorenzo Colombo (percussion), Marta Sogetti (percussion), Alicja Krajewska (percussion), Zach Hatcher (harp)

What to expect

What to expect: We will ascend to heaven with Mahlers iconic symphony, accompanied by the words from the german poem 'Das himmlische Leben'. Matias have written a short piece to set the mood specifically forthis occasion - sort of like a gateway to heaven.
Don't miss out on this one!