Ulmer Oratorium
«Ulmer Oratorium» is a large-scale open-air composition created to commemorate the completion of the tower of Ulm Minster, whose 161.53-metre spire was, at the time the work commemorates, the tallest in the world. Conceived specifically for Münsterplatz, the historic square surrounding the Minster, the work transforms the architectural and urban environment into an expansive musical stage.
Scored for
Instrumentation Details
Soloists: Coloratura soprano, soprano, mezzo-soprano, lyric tenor, bass, pop/jazz singer, trumpet (including spoken voice), violin, percussion/drum kit, electric bass, organ.
Parts
8 Movements
- «Hoch steht auf tief» for coloratura soprano, lyric soprano, adult’s choir, flutes, synthesizer/celesta, harp, string orchestra, bell trio, taiko trio, and percussion ensemble.
- «Tag der Wahrheit» for coloratura soprano, lyric soprano, mixed adult’s choir, children’s choir, philharmonic orchestra, wind orchestra, and percussion ensemble.
- «Wahrheit ist» for coloratura soprano, lyric soprano, organ solo, violin solo, mixed adult’s choir, children’s choir, philharmonic orchestra, wind ensemble, percussion ensemble, taiko trio, tombek sextet, and electronics.
- «Turmtraum» for trumpet solo, sprechstimme/rap, lyric soprano, mezzo-soprano, tenor, bass, violin and piano solo, mixed adult’s choir, children’s choir, philharmonic orchestra, wind ensemble, percussion ensemble, taiko trio, and electronics.
- «Fall der Kreuzblume» for coloratura soprano, lyric soprano, mezzo-soprano, tenor, bass, two mixed adult choirs, children’s choir, philharmonic orchestra, wind orchestra, cathedral’s workshop ensemble, taiko ensemble, percussion ensemble, and electronics.
- «Wind des Frühlings» for pop singer, electric bass, choir, philharmonic orchestra, brass ensemble, and percussion.
- «Lebende Steine» for coloratura soprano, lyric soprano, mezzo-soprano, bass, two mixed adult choirs, children’s choir, wind orchestra, philharmonic orchestra, two percussion ensembles, and electronics.
- «Hoch und tief verkehren einander» for coloratura soprano, lyric soprano, mezzo-soprano, tenor, bass, violin solo, organ, keyboard instruments, two mixed adult choirs, children’s choir, philharmonic orchestra, wind orchestra, two percussion ensembles, taiko ensemble, bell orchestra, and electronics.
Year of Composition
2013 – 2014
Duration
60′
Text by
«Eine Turmfantasie» (A Tower Phantasy) by Robert Kleindienst
Language
German
Genre
Oratorio
Commissioned by
City of Ulm for the 125th Anniversary of the Ulm Minster Tower
Funded by
City of Ulm
«The man of monumental works: in the international musical scene, the name Marios Joannou Elia is associated with the spectacular.»
Augsburger Allgemeine
29 & 30 May 2015 (not performed)
Performers
Performing Forces: 400 musicians · 10 soloists · 7 choirs · speaking quartet · Philharmonic Orchestra · Wind Philharmonic · Bell Orchestra · Stone Percussion Ensemble · 2 percussion groups · electronics
Participating Ensembles & Institutions:
Theater Ulm
Choirs of the Ulm Minster Cantorate
Ulm Oratorio Choir (Oratorienchor Ulm)
Ulm Sparrows Choir (Ulmer Spatzenchor)
Philharmonic Orchestra of the City of Ulm (Philharmonisches Orchester der Stadt Ulm)
Young Wind Philharmonic Ulm (Junge Bläserphilharmonie Ulm)
Composition & Artistic Direction: Marios Joannou Elia
Music Director: Friedemann Johannes Wieland
Stage Direction & Dramaturgy: Matthias Kaiser
Music Production & Electronics: Nick Elia
Conductor, Ulm Sparrows Choir: Hans de Gilde
Conductor, Young Wind Philharmonic Ulm: Josef Christ
Event & Project Management: Cultural Department of the City of Ulm · Sabrina Neumeister · Rita Hebenstreit
Public Relations & Marketing: City of Ulm · Head: Ingo Bergmann
Disposition & Stage Management: Michael Köstner
Technical Direction: Marcus Thiel · Marcus Denk
Münsterplatz Infrastructure: Mirko Kern