Concert of the Music Department

Music

• Christina Bernhardt, soprano
• Instrumental Ensemble of the University of Erfurt Chamber Choir of the University of Erfurt Youth Chamber Choir of the Singakademie Dresden
• Oliver Debus, Reading
• Conducted by: Alexandra Ismer, Michael Käppler and students

Information from the organiser:

In the oratorio "Annelies", James Whitbourn combines contemporary choral music with late romantic elements and the klezmer tradition. The British composer uses references to traditional Yiddish music as well as quotes from film music and "classical" music. The work recounts the key passages of Anne Frank's diaries: from the plan to go into hiding to the last night at home and the description of life in hiding, the fears during Allied air raids, which were nevertheless always linked to the hope of imminent liberation, to the betrayal and deportation to the Westerbork collection camp. After the tragic end through capture and death in the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, Whitbourn concludes with two passages from the diary from February and July 1944 under the title "Anne's meditation", which end like this:

"As long as you can look fearlessly at the sky, you'll know you are pure within." "Solange du ohne Furcht in den Himmel schauen kannst, weißt du, dass du innerlich rein bist."