Open-Air Oratorio

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.

Instrumentation

Scored for

10 soloists, philharmonic orchestra, brass orchestra, mixed adult choir, children’s/youth choir, bell orchestra, construction workshop ensemble, eleven percussionists in various formations, electronics and sound reinforcement system
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 

  1. «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.
  2. «Tag der Wahrheit» for coloratura soprano, lyric soprano, mixed adult’s choir, children’s choir, philharmonic orchestra, wind orchestra, and percussion ensemble.
  3. «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.
  4. «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.
  5. «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.
  6. «Wind des Frühlings» for pop singer, electric bass, choir, philharmonic orchestra, brass ensemble, and percussion.
  7. «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.
  8. «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

Critical Reception

«The man of monumental works: in the international musical scene, the name Marios Joannou Elia is associated with the spectacular.»
Augsburger Allgemeine

PREMIERE

29 & 30 May 2015 (not performed)

Münsterplatz · Ulm · Germany
Occasion

125th Anniversary of the Ulm Minster Tower (Münsterturmjubiläum 2015)
Organiser

City of Ulm
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

«Ulmer Oratorium» by Marios Joannou Elia | Official Poster
«Ulmer Oratorium» by Marios Joannou Elia | Official Poster
CONCERTS · EVENTS

Photo gallery.