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Premieres of Wolfgang Rihm's Memoria and Et Lux in Dallas and New York

Nov. 04, 2009

Wolfgang Rihm continues a prolific year of performances worldwide with the US premiere of Memoria by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and the world premiere of Et Lux by the Hilliard Ensemble and the Arditti Quartet at Carnegie Hall. Premiering on November 12 and sung by mezzo-soprano Gigi Mitchell-Velasco under the baton of Jaap van Zweden, Memoria takes its text from the poet and playwright Nelly Sachs' work Nachtwache. There are two follow up concerts by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra on November 13 and 14.

Et Lux, for vocal quartet and string quartet, premieres on December 2 at Carnegie Hall's Zankel Hall. Rihm writes of the piece:

In this work text fragments from the Roman requiem liturgy can be heard, however, not "intact" and not in the correct liturgical order.

Great significance is displayed by the reappearance of specific groups of words, for example, in the middle of the work: "... et lux perpetua luceat ...". Through circling reflection, the comforting yet deeply disturbing meaning of these words might just become perceptible.

Learn more on the music of Wolfgang Rihm by visiting www.universaledition.com.

Go to www.carnegiehall.org and www.dallassymphony.com for detailed information on the performances.

Memoria (1994/2004)
3 Requiem-Bruchstücke
for orchestra
2.1.1.1-2.3.3.1-timp.4perc.hp.2vn.3va.2vc.7db
15'

Wolfgang Rihm
Et Lux (2009)
for vocal quartet and string quartet
30'

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