Tribute to Klaus Huber

Description

Klaus Huber (1924–2017) shaped his era as a composer and teacher with sounds and words. From the Swiss-formed neoclassicism of the post-war period to a transcultural openness of the 21st century, the arc of his work spans. “The soul must rise from the steed,” a kind of chamber cantata from 2002, reveals exemplary Huber facets, not least an effective, sonically sensual fragility. The idea of the power of the fragile is shared by Huber with the Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish, whose lines obviously ignited his creative fire. The work lasts a good half hour, in which many of Huber's interests come together: silence and outcry, microtonality and Arabic tonal system, mysticism and political engagement. For Huber, this also includes “untimely” instruments such as the baryton, which went out of fashion around 1800, or the high vocal part, which combines baroque sound worlds and Arabic nuances. The rising Winterthur countertenor Elmar Hauser will sing, whisper, embody it.

Roberto González-Monjas, in turn, weaves a meaningful web of lament music across the epochs on Huber's tracks. Back to Henry Purcell's final song from “Dido and Aeneas,” one of the most beautiful and saddest music ever, and forward again to Olivier Messiaen's apocalyptic “Abyss of the Birds” for solo clarinet, up to the intense climax: “The soul must rise from the steed and walk on its silk feet…”

Program
Henry Purcell - “When I am laid in Earth” Lament of Dido from the opera “Dido and Aeneas”
Klaus Huber - “A Breath of Untimeliness III” for variable ensemble
Antonio Vivaldi - Symphony in B minor “Al Santo Sepolcro” RV 169
Olivier Messiaen - “Abîme des oiseaux”
Henry Purcell - Chacony in G minor, Z 730
Klaus Huber - “The soul must rise from the steed...” for cello, baryton, countertenor and 2 orchestra groups. Text by Mahmoud Darwish

Performers
Musikkollegium Winterthur
Roberto González-Monjas, conductor
Flurin Cuonz, cello
David Eggert, baryton
Elmar Hauser, countertenor
Sérgio Pires, clarinet

Highlights

• Tribute to the composer Klaus Huber
• Performances with Elmar Hauser and Roberto González-Monjas
• Works from Baroque, Modern and Electronic music
• Event at Stadthaus Winterthur

General Information

The concert at Stadthaus Winterthur honors the life and work of Klaus Huber, an important Swiss composer and teacher. It includes interpretations from various epochs, including Baroque and contemporary music, with special performances by Elmar Hauser and Roberto González-Monjas.

Location

Stadthausstrasse 4a, 8400 Winterthur, Schweiz

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