BernChor21: Above All Roses

Description

BernChor21 celebrates its 25th stage anniversary in 2027. To mark this anniversary, it is creating a special concert bouquet under the motto "Above All Roses," featuring works for a cappella choir and percussion, along with a commissioned composition by Julia Schwartz for this unusual ensemble. BernChor21 Percussion Art Ensemble Bern, Daniel Scheidegger, Ferdinand Heiniger, Oliver Schär, and Simon Forster Ewald Lucas, conductor The centerpiece is the titular world premiere by Julia Schwartz for choir and percussion ensemble. Flowers are sung about in all cultures around the world. Often, the songs simply celebrate general blooming, e.g., the floral splendor in spring (C. Schürch: Fluras, R. Edwards: Flower Songs). Frequently, flowers also symbolize awakening nature, love, or life itself (B. Britten: Five Flower Songs, C. Schürch: La matta e la rosa). Some flowers also carry symbolic meanings or possible uses as medicinal plants, which sometimes clearly, sometimes subtly resonate in the songs (C. Charrière: Flowers, T. Takemitsu: Sakura, H. Alfvén: Uti vår hage). Thus, flowers often express things that are difficult to put into words. The choral pieces are complemented by compositions for percussion ensemble by Jacqueline Fontyn (Floraison, after Paul Klee's painting "Blühendes") and John Cage (Quartet).