The Adagio of the Corona Symphony follows the opening movement in a classical sequence and forms the centerpiece of the three-movement work.
The spirit of Frédéric Chopin hovers over this Adagio. A romantic piano theme is heard, followed by an energetic middle section and leads to a big surprise: the main theme is taken over by a soprano voice (on this recording by the wonderful Swiss soprano Maja Bader). In this movement, the word "Corona" takes on a double meaning: Corona is the name of a poem by Paul Celan, from whose hand the sung words originate. It is a declaration of love to the poet Ingeborg Bachmann. The words hover darkly and mysteriously over the music, which takes another thrilling turn at its emotional climax with a dramatic percussion section. Here, the musical language of Romanticism gives way to a rhythmic modern age.
Wir lieben einander Mein Aug` steigt herab
wie Mohn und Gedächtnis zum Geschlecht der Geliebten
wir schlafen wie Wein in den Muscheln wir sehn uns an wir sagen uns Dunkles
wie das Meer im Blutstrahl des Mondes wir lieben einander wie Mohn und Gedächtnis
im Spiegel ist Sonntag im Traum wird geschlafen
Im Spiegel ist Sonntag Der Mund redet wahr
Im Traume wird geschlafen Es ist Zeit, daß es Zeit wird
wir sagen uns Dunkles
wir lieben einander wie Paul Celan
Mohn und Gedächtnis
The premiere of the work took place in Frankfurt am Main in 2022 in a sold-out St. Katharinenirche as part of the program "Pandemia - Eine musikalische Vanitas". The original title was: PANDEMIA - The creative power of crisis, and this certainly shows us clearly what a crisis can certainly teach us: Our time on earth is finite. Let's make the most of it!
The Adagio of the Corona Symphony follows the opening movement in a classical sequence and forms the centerpiece of the three-movement work.
The spirit of Frédéric Chopin hovers over this Adagio. A romantic piano theme is heard, followed by an energetic middle section and leads to a big surprise: the main theme is taken over by a soprano voice (on this recording by the wonderful Swiss soprano Maja Bader). In this movement, the word "Corona" takes on a double meaning: Corona is the name of a poem by Paul Celan, from whose hand the sung words originate. It is a declaration of love to the poet Ingeborg Bachmann. The words hover darkly and mysteriously over the music, which takes another thrilling turn at its emotional climax with a dramatic percussion section. Here, the musical language of Romanticism gives way to a rhythmic modern age.
Wir lieben einander Mein Aug` steigt herab
wie Mohn und Gedächtnis zum Geschlecht der Geliebten
wir schlafen wie Wein in den Muscheln wir sehn uns an wir sagen uns Dunkles
wie das Meer im Blutstrahl des Mondes wir lieben einander wie Mohn und Gedächtnis
im Spiegel ist Sonntag im Traum wird geschlafen
Im Spiegel ist Sonntag Der Mund redet wahr
Im Traume wird geschlafen Es ist Zeit, daß es Zeit wird
wir sagen uns Dunkles
wir lieben einander wie Paul Celan
Mohn und Gedächtnis
The premiere of the work took place in Frankfurt am Main in 2022 in a sold-out St. Katharinenirche as part of the program "Pandemia - Eine musikalische Vanitas". The original title was: PANDEMIA - The creative power of crisis, and this certainly shows us clearly what a crisis can certainly teach us: Our time on earth is finite. Let's make the most of it!