Changing Light

The flute and soprano voices are sisters – not only in spirit, but also because of their sound characteristics.

Camilla Hoitenga and Anna Herbst provide tangible proof of this with the program »Changing Light«. Over the course of her career, Camilla Hoitenga – born in Michigan/USA in 1954 – has worked closely with Kaija Saariaho for decades and (premiered) numerous of her works, including »Dolce Tormento«. Here, the beguiling piccolo flute merges with Francesco Petrarch's Sonnet 132, an idealization of the feminine presented in sections by the instrumentalist. What happens in »Dolce Tormento« in personal union, Saariaho breaks down accordingly in »Changing Light« (version for soprano and flute): While the expressive voice recites an evening prayer by the American Rabbi Jules Harlow, the versatile flute playing conjures up a light-dark dualism inherent in the text. This also includes Malika Kishino's »Monochrome Garden VIII« for alto flute, in which the light reflections of Japanese gardens and creatures buzzing around become the musical driving force.

Funded by the Ministerium für Kultur und Wissenschaft des Landes NRW