Schwetzingen SWR Festival: Ritual and Ecstasy

The SWR Vocal Ensemble, under the direction of chief conductor Yuval Weinberg, embarks on a quest for the connection between sound and ritual, music and ecstasy. A concert as a pilgrimage: when the SWR Vocal Ensemble and its chief conductor Yuval Weinberg wander through countries, cultures, and religions, it is also a search for the connection between sound and ritual, music and ecstasy. The journey begins with the British composer Joby Talbot, who is primarily known for his music for the cult film "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy." Talbot's 17-part "Path of Miracles" moves in four movements along the Camino de Santiago from Roncesvalles to Santiago de Compostela, drawing on medieval hymns. Samuel Barber's "Agnus Dei" is an arrangement of his 1938 Adagio for Strings. With "Ne’ila," the Israeli composer Eran Dinur has set to music the prayer that traditionally concludes the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur. György Kurtág's homage to his friend and colleague Luigi Nono is based on poems by the Russian poet Rimma Dalos, reflecting the Apostle Paul's thoughts on love. Georgi Sviridov's "Hymns and Prayers" are inspired by Russian Orthodox church music. The music of American composer Jay Schwartz also reflects on the roots of music with its sound waves and large-scale glissandi, emphasizing the connection between earth and heaven. Video livestream on SWR Kultur.