OdysseeSymphonie
VISION OF THE WORK
OdysseeSymphonie
An orchestral journey in five movements for large orchestra
The Odyssey Symphony is a large-scale symphonic project consisting of five self-contained orchestral works based on modern human metamorphosis.
Human life as the epitome of a permanent journey.
Journey also in the sense of movement or ‘trans-port’, discovery and experience. Life as a symbol of driving movement, in which even pausing, or supposed arrival, are only stopovers on an ongoing journey.
The five 10-20-minute movements of my Odyssey Symphony, which grow into a complete work of about 60 minutes, represent departure, longing, journey, arrival and reconciliation, states that mark every life in a variety of ways. Every journey within ourselves, every physical journey or social change contains these characteristics and influences our human existence in its evolution or progression. Life as a driving force that creates its own space by embarking on a journey.
In this work, I draw a parallel between the inner and outer journeys and dedicate this work to its premiere as a musical baptism into the heart of the monumental infrastructure project of the visionary new Stuttgart railway station, which, like music, creates a network of renewal, experiences and adventures far beyond its centre.
The Odyssey Symphony can be performed as a complete work or in its individual parts. The overall concept gives expression to the different musical forms: from the grand solo for violin and orchestra, symbolising the individual traveller, to the virtuoso orchestral work, a monumental architecture of rhythm and sound that reflects the innovation of the sculptural architectural work of art, to the vocal duet, which musically carries harmony and peaceful reconciliation alongside the light-flooded chalice supports into the new halls.
Within my oeuvre – after ten composed operas and solo concertos, as well as extensive symphonic works – this Odyssey Symphony marks a culmination of all these genres, brought together in a central work based on the theme of the Odyssey as a symbol of human existence and travel.
The five movements are entitled:
Skylight
Running in Tracks
‘Moonlight’ Duet for mezzo-soprano and baritone
Arrival
Beyond Eden for solo violin and orchestra