w18154
| Title | Feuerfest, Das (The Fire Festival) |
| Contributors |
Janet Beat (composer) |
| Composition date | 2009 |
| Duration (mins) | 0 |
| Category | chamber trio wind |
| Instrumentation | 3 Cl (B-Cl) |
| Commissioned by | |
| Key signature | |
| First line | |
| First performed | 30 04 2009 Anna Gärtner; Lisa Schuler; Christian Zweng Hochschule für Musik, Nuremberg |
| Notes | |
| Programme Note | At one time, the Scottish islands and part of the northern mainland were ruled by the Vikings. Their tradition of a fire festival to celebrate the end of winter and the return of sunlight is still held on the last Tuesday of January. It is known as "Up Helly Aa". The day begins with the men of Lerwick, (the principal town of the Shetland Isles), dressed as Vikings visiting cultural events in the town. As night falls, the climax of the festival begins with a torchlight procession towards a replica of a Viking ship into which the fire brands are thrown. The difference tones, (ie an aural illusion), in the first movement represent the Aurora Borealis and the piercing cold of the arctic wind. Towards the end, I have created a folk-like melody for the breaking dawn. The solemn slow chords of the second movement impart a ritualistic atmosphere, while the swirling arabesques reflect the rising flames of the burning ship. |
This work is associated with the following collection items:
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