‘A Requiem for Narcissus’ is based on the antique myth of Narcissus and Echo.  Cursed by Hera, Echo is only able to repeat the last words of the person talking to her.  Narcissus is annoyed by her ghastly appearance and rejects her, after which he himself is cursed by the Gods.  He notices his own beauty by looking in a pool of water and falls hopelessly in love with himself.  Unable to reach his beloved, he weeps bitterly and transforms slowly into a beautiful flower. Musical echo’s and mirrors play an important role in this composition, both in the interaction between the soloists and the band, and in the microstructural elements of the motives and harmonies.  The solo-horns are positioned at different places in the hall, creating a spatial element. All musical material is derived from the chorale ‘O Welt, Ich muss dich lassen’ by J.S. Bach.  This chorale symbolizes the tears of Narcissus during his tragic transformation.  The composition is devided into four mouvements, each entitled with a fragment from the Latin Requiem Mass.  Additionaly, each movement is based on one particular motive or melody.

Album onbekend (6/08/2020 20:36:20)

A Requiem for Narcissus (Excerpt 1)

Erik Desimpelaere is a Belgian composer, pianist and conductor.