What is love? How do you feel love? A composer who describes love for me with a warmth as barely no-one else is Anton Bruckner. Listen to this beautiful second movement of his 5th symphony. At least to the first three minutes, especially to minute 2:00 following and its golden and world-embracing sounds. What do … More The sun of love. Bruckner and Delaunay.
“Panta rhei”, a term coined by Platon and Simplikios, originating from Heraklit means in Ancient Greek “Everything flows”. I imagine “Panta rhei” as a necessity to understand one’s own flow of life. We easily get stuck. In habits, concepts, patterns. Does everything flow? Maybe one could say that nothing stays as it is. Is that … More Panta rhei.
The colour red. What do you imagine? I imagine fire. Inner burning energy. A warm, deep colour. I tried to paint this red in the painting below. It is a life-affirming colour. Fire gives warmth, gives life. What would we be without it? We would freeze. Yet – what if it gets too hot? You … More Nielsen’s red.
What is it, seriousness? Why in music? Is music serious? With seriousness I mean that I am serious about it. Even in the lightest joy I can be serious with it. I see this overwhelming seriousness in Sokolov’s recording of Chopin’s C Minor Etude. In one movement he starts playing, without any affectations. He bows … More About seriousness in music
Great joy to post an excerpt of the Ballade by Frank Martin I recorded with the Bamberger Symphoniker. In this music, Martin stops the time. Written in a time of war in 1939/41 it is dark – yet I find defiance in it, a life-affirming energy. Paul Klee’s painting Rosengarten from 1920 reminds me of … More Frank Martin’s rose garden
Very happy to share an excerpt of the Cécile Chaminade Concertino I recorded with the Bamberger Symphoniker and Jonathan Nott in 2012! This music accompanies me since my childhood and gives me always warmth at heart. I connect it with the glowing rays of the sun like in Van Gogh’s painting “Wheatfield with a Reaper”.May … More Cécile Chaminade and the sun
Bach: Christmas Oratorio, Choral “Brich an, o schönes Morgenlicht!” Brich an, o schönes Morgenlicht, Und lass den Himmel tagen! Du Hirtenvolk, erschrecke nicht, Weil dir die Engel sagen, Dass dieses schwache Knäbelein Soll unser Trost und Freude sein, Dazu den Satan zwingen, Und letztlich Friede bringen! Break out, O beautiful light of morning, and let … More The light of Christmas
What is mercy for you? Bach: Christmas Oratorio, Choral “Seid froh” Seid froh dieweil, dass euer Heil Ist hier ein Gott und auch ein Mensch geboren, Der, welcher ist der Herr und Christ In Davids Stadt, von vielen auserkoren. Meanwhile be joyful that your salvation has been born here as both God and man, He … More Mercy
A playlist about winter. What is winter for you? For me winter means that life goes more inwardly. In nature silence and damped sounds prevail, animals withdraw or hibernate. The flowers go in standby mode, trees are slowly glowing in the dusk. The days become short, the light in the houses shines in the darkness. … More A Winter Playlist
While listening to Mozart’s Requiem I came thinking of fear and resurrection.Listen to this incredible music and let me invite you to read my following text. Mozart: Requiem, London Symphony Orchestra & Chorus, Sir Colin Davis: What is resurrection? Is it the abstract imagination of going to heaven? Or is it happening among all of … More Fear and Resurrection. Mozart’s Requiem.
Why are we doing what we are doing? Can we ask this question? Or are we too afraid of it? What secrets might reveal? What insights might come to us? Why are we doing what we are doing? To get appreciation or to live fulfillment? There seems to be a fine line which can easily … More Why are we doing what we are doing? Borodin’s Overture to Prince Igor.
Mozart used minor tonality seldomly in his compositions but when he did, it is incredibly expressive. I have barely heard deeper expression of sorrow or sadness than in Mozart’s minor passages. Whilst in his major tonality colours Mozart’s music expresses a joy which couldn’t be more joyful to me. It comes often with a seriousness, … More Who are we? Mozart’s gift to us.
Width. I am often longing for width. Sometimes I go up a hill to have an overview, hiking in the mountains or to the sea. Then the horizon seems far away and the world bigger. It gives me a feeling of more space. More space around me and inside of me. I found this width … More Width. Bartok’s and Sibelius’ musical paintings.
What a joy listening! I recently discovered Bartok’s 1st suite and got stuck at the beginning. Maybe you will too? Listen to this stunning recording of Bartok’s Suite No. 1 – Allegro vivace with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and Thomas Dausgaard: I feel in this music a will for life, a life-affirming energy. It … More Joy! The beginning of Bartok’s 1st suite
Listen to Carl Nielsen’s wonderfully sparkling and life-affirming Overture to his opera ‘Maskarade’ played by the Danish National Symphony Orchestra and Thomas Dausgaard. While listening to it, I invite you to readmy associations about the Overture below. ”Please wear a mask” – a request probably none of us would have thought will ever be a … More A masquerade. Nielsen’s Overture to his opera ”Maskarade” newly associated.
Brahms’ Hungarian Dances arranged by Thomas Dausgaard freely associated with texts by Eichendorff, Rilke, Trakl and others. An invitation for ears and eyes. Hungarian Dance No. 2 (click on the spotify button): Laß dich die Welt nicht fangen, Brich durch, mein freudig Herz, Ein ernsteres Verlangen Erheb dich himmelwärts! Greif in die goldnen Saiten, Da … More Connections. Brahms’ Hungarian Dances freely associated.
What is humaneness? Is it altruism? Is it respecting each other? Is it helping each other? What is it, being human? What is it, humaneness? Humanity has suffered terrible wars, genocides, illnesses, hunger, cruelty – darkness of all kinds. Where does this darkness in humanity come from? Where? Nobody is born evil. What is it … More What is humaneness?
Do we have answers? Or is it an illusion that we have answers? What kind of answers do we have? We know how things function. We know how electricity works. How to learn something. How to calculate numbers. How to make something. We have answers to the visible for our eyes.But do we know why? … More About answers.
Leise. Leise, jedoch ernst. Aus dem Fühlenden kommend. Loslassend. Worte finden sich erst. Werden erst. Lasst uns behutsam sein. Nicht störend. Den Fluss nicht unterbrechend. Die Schöpfung unserer selbst. Jeden Tag neu. Quietly.Quietly, yet serious.Coming from the feeling.Letting go.Words will be found eventually.Will be eventually.Let us be gentle.Not disturbing.Not interrupting the flow.The creation of ourselves. … More Quietly. Rachmaninov’s Vesper.
For listening, click on the following button: Was für ein stürmisches Leben! Ist es nicht? Was für ein Sturm ist es? Warm, kalt? Leben gebärend oder zerstörerisch? Hängt es nicht von der Sicht des Betrachters ab? Vielleicht! Oder doch – sicherlich! Sind es die Umstände? Oder ich selbst? Ich bin frei. Alles ist möglich! Tutto … More About a stormy life. Rachmaninov’s 2nd piano concerto.
Brahms: Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Händel in B flat major, op. 24 by Gerhard Oppitz Listen to Brahms’ Händel-Variations. I find in it: simplicity. Simplicity in its expression which makes it unmissably expressive. I find truth in it. Truth in expression. The music flows from the heart and goes to the heart. … More Simplicity. Brahms’ Händel-Variations for piano.
Schubert Impromptu No. 2 in A flat by Dinu Lipatti Nicht müde werden. Nicht müde werden sondern dem Wunder leise wie einem Vogel die Hand hinhalten. H. Domin.
The leaves are falling, falling as if from far up, as if distant gardens were withering in the skies. Each leaf falls as if it were motioning “no.” And tonight the heavy earth is falling away from all other stars in the loneliness. We’re all falling. This hand here is falling. And look at the … More Transience.
Mahler Symphony No. 10 V. Finale. What is time? We look at our watch and take this time for granted. But is it the true time? I don’t think so. That’s just our self-made time. Mathematically correct.So what is the real time? What time does our soul have? The children’s book ‘The lost soul’ with … More About real time. The Finale of Mahler’s 10th symphony.
Brahms: Gesang der Parzen. Es fürchte die Götter Das Menschengeschlecht! Sie halten die Herrschaft In ewigen Händen, Und können sie brauchen, Wie’s ihnen gefällt. (…)___________________________ Let the human race fear the Gods! For they hold dominion over them in eternal hands, and can handle it as it pleases them. (…) Maybe our biggest fear is … More Brahms’ ‘Gesang der Parzen’, ‘Song of the Fates’. About our fears. About feelings.
Mahler symphony No. 7: I. Langsam. Allegro risoluto ma non troppo. Authenticity. What is it? Mahler’s music, especially the opening of his 7th symphony speaks to me about this. Authenticity. In which sense? In its clarity. In its pureness in expression. In its pureness of human expression. There is no darkness that isn’t included in … More Authenticity. Mahler’s 7th symphony overture.
Bach – ,,Sanctify us by Thy Goodness”, Hubert Harry. Our soul is like a pearl. Once you opened the shell, you are free. Free to shine. Free to reveal Your truth. A. Rossius
Strauss: Vier letzte Lieder, IV: Im Abendrot, Jessye Norman. ‘Im Abendrot‘ Through sorrow and joy we have gone hand in hand; we are both at rest from our wanderings now above the quiet land. Around us, the valleys bow, the air already darkens. Only two larks soar musingly into the haze. Come close, and let … More Farewell. Strauss’ ‘Im Abendrot’.
Associations. Let yourself be led. Bach-Siloti: Prelude in B minor, Emil Gilels. I see the world from outside. People, crying and laughing. People, going through their deepest pain and experiencing their greatest joy. All humanity. Since the beginning of time. A. Rossius Sibelius: Andante festivo for strings. “I believe in the suneven when it is … More Hope.
Let yourself be led on a journey of associations. Paolo Conte – Dancing: Second Delphic Hymn to Apollo: Archaic Torso of Apollo by Rainer Maria Rilke translated by Stephen Mitchell We cannot know his legendary head with eyes like ripening fruit. And yet his torso is still suffused with brilliance from inside, like a lamp, … More Hymn to Apollo.
Soundtrack from the movie ‘Castle in the sky’ by Studio Ghibli: Dream and reality. Where is the border? Is there a border? Where? What is reality? Is our dream reality? What is real? We are longing for our dreams. The deep dreams of our soul. Aren’t our dreams real? Aren’t those reflecting our soul? You … More Dream and reality. Studio Ghibli’s ‘Castle in the sky’.
Delibes Lakmé, Duo des fleurs Two blurring. Red, separated from the blue. But still One. A. Rossius
Mendelssohn’s ‘Hear Ye, Israel’ and Chorus: Text:Hear ye, Israel; hear what the Lord speaketh: “Oh, hadst thou heeded my commandments!” Who hath believed our report? To whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? Thus saith the Lord, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One,to him oppressed by tyrants, thus saith the Lord: “I … More Höre Israel. Hear Ye, Israel. Mendelssohn and Rembrandt.
Rachmaninov’s symphonic dances, described by him earlier as ‘fantastic dances’ are his last major composition. It leads from deeply human dances in the beginning to the dies-irae/All-Night Vigil – dance in the end, a statement to afterlife. A friend of mine once wrote to me in a birthday letter: ,,Sometimes I imagine we all dance … More Dancing. Rachmaninov’s fantastic symphonic dances.
Puccini’s opera ‘Turandot’ ends in the original with the aria of the slave girl Liù. She is in love with an ‘Unkown Prince’, but he fell in love with ‘La Principessa’ Turandot, a cold and cruel impératrice. Turandot lets Liù be tortured to get the real name of the unknown prince. But Liù doesn’t give … More Sorrow. Turandot’s Liù.
Bach Lute Suite in C minor IV. Gigue – V. Double by Franz Halász: Im Regen geschriebenvon Hilde Domin Wer wie die Biene wäre, der die Sonne auch durch den Wolkenhimmel fühlt, die den Weg zur Blüte findet und nie die Richtung verliert, dem lägen die Felder in ewigem Glanz, wie kurz er auch lebte, … More Be(e)ing.
Do we live our life in circles? A journey in three art forms. Mozart symphony No. 40 G-minor: III. Menuetto. Allegretto-Trio: From Rilke’s ‘Book of Hours’: I live my life in widening circles that reach out across the world. I may not complete this last one but I give myself to it. I circle around … More Circles. Through Kandinsky, Mozart and Rilke.
The colour blue is very special to me. I don’t know how you feel but there is something in it that lets me sink into it. It lets me connect to myself. In the year 1907 Rainer Maria Rilke visited a memorial exhibition of works by Cézanne in Paris. For Rilke Cézanne had a major … More The colour blue. Through Cézanne, Rilke, Van Gogh and Mozart.
Do you know Kahlil Gibran? I often use texts by him since I am fascinated by his writings. There is a story behind. Once I was in Gothenburg, in an old antiquarian bookshop. Just looking for some books about philosophy. There it was, a large book with treasured writings by Gibran. I knew his name … More About coincidences.
Rembrandt, self-portrait When I look in the eyes of this man, I feel humaneness. Somehow fearful and doubting he is. He doesn’t try to hide it either. It is something very pure in it. What is it that makes us human? I think it is the pureness in expression. The not-hiding. ‘Show yourself’ is nowadays … More Rembrandt and humanity.
Bruckner symphony No. 4 I. Bewegt, nicht zu schnell What is freedom? A friend once showed me a picture where you could see a man who was in prison but in his mind he was free. Majestic waterfalls and eagles flying in the air enriched his mind whilst he was sitting in jail. On the … More Freedom. Bruckner’s 4th.
Strauss: ‘Zueignung’ by Jessye Norman: PainPain is an unseen and powerful hand that breaks the skin of the stone in order to extract the pulp. Kahlil Gibran Schumann: Das Paradies und die Peri ‘Jetzt sank des Abends gold’ner Schein’: Quiet friend who has come so far, feel how your breathing makes more space around you. … More About pain.
Kodály Zoltán: Evening song – Esti dal: Your first word was light, and time began. Then for long you were silent. Your second word was man, and fear began, which grips us still. Are you about to speak again? I don’t want your third word. Sometimes I pray: Please don’t talk. Let all your doing … More Creation. Esti dal.
Mahler symphony No. 6 I. Allegro energico, ma non troppo Darkness. We fear it. Many words describe this matter. Diabolic. Malevolent. Bad. Evil. Vile. Where does this darkness come from? We all know darkness, also from within. We all have also dark sides. Sides we better don’t look into. Sides we don’t want anybody to … More About darkness. Mahler’s 6th.
Schubert Impromtu in G-flat major by Dinu Lipatti: Apfelbaum Ein Wind singt. Rot gefärbt durch die reifen Früchte. Er wiegt die Äste, streichelt die Blätter. Sanft. Auch sein knorriges Fell berührt er. Das Meer hat ihm seine Form gegeben. Siehst Du die Krater, die Meeresgräben, die Küsten? Vögel nehmen Platz auf ihm. Bienen summen in … More Love.
Bach – Piano, Chorale, Sanctify us by Thy Goodness by Hubert Harry: Infinity Maybe we are infinite. Infinity is very hard to imagine. Can a human imagine infinity? Is it possible? When I listen to Hubert Harry’s Bach, I feel the melody began already somewhere in this galaxy and continues somewhere else there, somewhere we … More Infinity.
Literature and music.How far can we combine them?Where is the limit of word, where is the limit of music?For me words engrave into stone where music withdraws from the concrete. Music begins where words are fully exhausted.Both together can create something bigger. I created a ‘musical lecture’ which combines music and texts in a chronological … More Literamusic. A musical lecture.
What is beauty? What is beautiful in this world? Let yourself be led on a journey in A Minor. I created a ‘musical lecture’ which combines music and texts in a chronological order, like a playlist. The texts and music are complementing each other. Click on the spotify button below for the playlist and on … More About beauty, in A minor. A musical lecture.
Ravel: Pavane pour une infante défunte:
What does death mean? I created a ‘musical lecture’ which combines music and texts in a chronological order, like a playlist. The texts and music are complementing each other. Click on the spotify playlist below for the music and on the download button here for the text: