Sinfonie der Lieder de Johan de Meij

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JOHAN DE MEIJ: Symphony No. 4 “Sinfonie der Lieder“. For solo voice, children’s choir, and wind orchestra. (Symphony of Songs) – (2013) – 30′

For the first time in the history of both ensembles, the Choir of the Escolania de Montserrat and the BMB — in its 140th anniversary year — join together to present a singular work combining poetry, treble voices, a mezzo-soprano (on this occasion the acclaimed soloist Gemma Coma-Alabert), and a wind band. The work in question is Symphony No. 4, “Sinfonie der Lieder” (Symphony of Songs), by Dutch composer Johan de Meij, who was our composer-in-residence during the 2023–2024 season. The work was commissioned by the Mahler Festival, held since 1981 in the Italian town of Dobbiacco (South Tyrol, Italy), in memory of the fact that it was there that Gustav Mahler found the inspiration for his final great creations — among them Das Lied von der Erde (The Song of the Earth), the Ninth Symphony, and the unfinished Tenth — between 1908 and 1910. De Meij draws directly on the music and style of the Czech composer to write this symphony to nineteenth-century German texts. The first three movements set to music three poems by Friedrich Rückert (1788–1868) — the same poet on whom Mahler drew for his celebrated Kindertotenlieder: Ein Jahr ist nun geschwunden (A Year Has Now Passed), Wenn zur Tür herein (When You Come Through the Door), and Wiedersehn (Farewell). The fourth movement presents verses by Heinrich Heine (1797–1856); Zwei Brüder (Two Brothers) reflects on the theme of death and how it is perceived through the eyes of childhood. Finally, and on a more optimistic note, the last two movements of the symphony offer two poems by Hugo von Hofmannsthal (1874–1929) — a contemporary of Mahler in the cultural life of early twentieth-century Vienna — entitled Vorfrühling (Early Spring) and Liedchen des Harlekin (Song of the Harlequin). A clear metaphor of rebirth, new life, and hope emerges throughout.