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| De Rerum Natura - for mezzosoprano, tenor, organ and 8 channel tape, 2000 |
De Rerum Natura explores the relationship between the corporeal and the ethereal, the natural and the artificial, stability and change, and humanity and immortality. The texts used in the piece come from a scientific treatise of the same name, written by Lucretius around 50 B.C., which attempts to explain the poetic beauty of nature in the language of scientific inquiry (as it existed in the Roman Empire at that time). The music is inspired by compositional ideas and practice from the late Renaissance period, and the spirit with which composers searched for a new harmonic and melodic language while still clinging to the traditions of the past.The composition is divided into six sections, corresponding with the canonical hours of prayer: Matutinus, Terce, Sexta Hora, Nonus, Vespera, and Compline. Each section explores a different compositional technique and makes use of contrasting timbral material, while a recurring melodic theme (played by the organ) binds them together.This piece was written for the historic Nicolaikerk in Utrecht, the Netherlands, for the Open Performance Site concert series. It takes advantage of the unique acoustical properties and natural resonance of the church, which was built early in the 12th century. Composition: Marcel Wierckx, mezzosoprano: Evelien van den Broek, tenor: Vincent Beijer |