Title & composer

Å svävare

Madeleine Isaksson

Composition year: 1993 - 1995

Duration: 23 min

Contents: I. Wir sehen dich / Paul Celan (S, Mz, vla) ; II. Wie soll ich / R.M. Rilke & Juan de la Cruz (S, Bar, vlc) ; III. Oh cauterio suave / Juan de la Cruz & Susanne Marten (S, Mz, vlc) ; IV. Cuan manso y amoroso / Juan de la Cruz (S, Mz, Bar, vla, vlc) ; V. Doch alles was uns / R.M. Rilke & S. Marten (Mz, Bar, vla) ; VI. Grå tak / Katarina Frostenson (S) ; VII. Skorstenshalsar / K. Frostenson (S, vla, vlc)

Tribute to: Daniel Coulet
Comments about the work: was composed on a commission from the artist Daniel Coulet andinspired by his fragile, high, and flora-like sculptures, especially two tall “tree sculptures” made of fiber: one, light and down-to-earth, like a huge mushroom with a massive, bent stem; the other, dark, slender, high, and “watching from afar,” both installed at the subway station Mirail, in Toulouse.The work, written for soprano, mezzo, baritone, viola, and cello, is in seven parts, which together form an upwards-striving bow, tense from the height and the fall from this height. The texts, certain parts of which have been combined, consist of poems from different historical time periods : by Paul Celan, by Juan de la Cruz, by Rainer Maria Rilke, by Susanne Marten and by Katarina Frostenson out of which the title is taken:( “o Hoverer,the fall is an embrace”)Madeleine Isaksson. From Phono Suecia, PSCD 134 (2005)Translation : George Kentros