O. Narbutaitė. Tres Dei Matris Symphoniae
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ⓒ & ⓟ 2011 Naxos Rights, International Ltd. Article number: 747313229574 |
Onutė Narbutaitė
Lithuanian National Symphony Orhestra Kaunas State Choir Aidija Chamber Choir
Robertas Šervenikas - conductor
Tres Dei Matris Symphoniae (Three Symphonies of the Mather of God) was commissioned by the Brandenburg State Orchestra and composed in 2002-3. Three large-scale movements embrace three decisive episodes of the New Testament involving Christ and Mary - the Revelation, the Birth of Jesus and Crucifixion. This triptych is framed by a short introducion (Introitus), which uses fragments of the Song of Songs, and a closing prayer (Oratio) with a txt by Hildegard von Bingen. Traditional texts of the Ave Maria, Gloria and Stabat Mater are used in the main movements of the work. All texts are in Latin.
This is not an oratorio in the conventional sense, but rather a symphony, or three symphonies, where the choir, even though entrusted with a very important role, is only one of many voices. Often distanced from the directly articulated canonical text, narrated or rather enacted by the instruments, the story becomes more personal and intimate, while at the same time more generalised. Indeed, it was a personal experience, not a ritualistic reiteration of well known truths, which induced the composer to approach issues that have been the subject of contemplation for centuries.
Onutė Narbutaitė
Live recording from the Vilnius Festival, Lithuanian National Philharmonic Hall, 14 June 2008 |
