Von Max Bruch is best known for his Violin Concerto No. 1, one of the most performed pieces of classical music. Although seldom played today, while he lived his Oratorio “Odysseus – Scenes from the Odyssey” was also a great success. Now we can consider ourselves fortunate as after almost 120 years the piece is to be performed once more: On Saturday 6th February, 2016, the orchestra & Choir of the University of Bremen led by musical director Dr. Susanne Gläß will perform the oratorio in the Glocke concert hall, Bremen. Max Bruch‘s “Odysseus” is full of character, haunting melodies and nuanced emotions. There is a strong connection between this piece of music and the town of Bremen, where it premiered in 1872. Bruch even dedicated it to the “Sing academy in Bremen”. The original musical sheets for the voices are still in Bremen at the library of the University of Arts.
Mediterranean scenario
A central geographical staging of the oratorio has recently been capturing the headlines: In precisely that part of the Mediterranean Sea that Odysseus erred into 3,000 years ago, another odyssey is playing out for the thousands of refugees fleeing to Europe. For a long time, most northern Europeans only associated the Mediterranean with holidays in the sun. Central themes of Max Bruch’s oratorio, though, deal with the hazards of Mediterranean navigation and the strong longing for home. Whereas Odysseus had to voyage ten years before returning home to Ithaka, those risking their lives on the same seas today are fleeing away from their homes.
A wonderfully romantic oratorio
After Bremen, Bruch‘s “Odysseus” went from success to success. It was very well received in England and the United States. Notwithstanding, whereas Brahms’ Requiem remains an established part of every church choir’s repertory up to the present day, after 1900 nothing much was ever heard again of Bruch’s “Odysseus”. The orchestra and choir of the University of Bremen are about to put that right. The performance features as Odysseus the baritone Martin Kronthaler, who was a member of the Bremen theatre ensemble for many years, and as Penelope the alto singer Kerstin Stöcker, who teaches singing at the Bremen University of Arts.
Refugees relate what home means to them
Members of the group working on the concert project met with refugees in Bremen and asked them what “home” now means to them. Excerpts from these interviews are contained in the concert program booklet. From 11am till 11.30am on Saturday 30th January, 2016, the student group and Susanne Gläß are holding a lecture in Haus der Wissenschaft in Sandstraße, Bremen, to introduce the concert. Members of the public are cordially invited to attend and admission is free.
Tickets for the actual concert cost 26/22/18 euros and 12 euros, respectively 50% reduction where applicable. They are available from Weser-Kurier-Pressehaus, Nordwest Ticket, Eventim, and the Glocke, as well as on Tuesday a6t 12.55pm following the concert in the Uni-Theatersaal and from 3rd till 5th February in the main dining hall, the Mensa.
If you would like to have more information, please contact:
University of Bremen
Dr. Susanne Gläß
University Musical Director
Phone: +49 421 218-60109
e-mail: sglaessprotect me ?!uni-bremenprotect me ?!.de
