Wolfgang Rihm
Astralis
"Über die Linie" III (2001)
for small choir, violoncello and timpani
Duration: 25'
Text von: Novalis
Choir: little choir
Instrumentation details:
violoncello
timpani(2)
Rihm - Astralis for small choir, violoncello and timpani
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Wolfgang Rihm
Rihm: Astralis
UE32553
Orchestration: for small choir, violoncello and timpani
Type: Partitur
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Work introduction
Astralis is a slow meditation on the idea expressed in Novalis’ eponymous poem. The poet (1772-1801) foresaw “a strange, wondrous, shimmering future,” although his vision was a tragic one: “The body dissolved in tears.”
Considering this anticipation of a bleak future, Rihm imagined hymnal music to which the cello adds its voice, alternately singing and weeping. The two timpani remain in the background, their sound scarcely perceptible, mysterious, like faraway thunder.
Translation: Grant Chorley