Die Tore von Jerusalem

Bronius Kutavičius’ music is strongly rooted in the history and mythology of his Lithuanian home. In his main work »The Gates of Jerusalem« the composer broadened his view principally to include non-European cultures. After all, where else in the world are there so many different religions and social classes than in Jerusalem?

The historic Old Town of Jerusalem is surrounded by walls that the Turkish Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent built between 1536 and 1541 from the remains of the earlier town walls.  It was through these paths that people passed, captured the town, and traded goods over thousands of years. These twelve City Gates, of which three at any one time would be directed toward one of the four points of the compass, ring out in Oratorium analogue mode 21,9—21,13 in four movements. First come the East Gates in which the composer simulates Japanese Gagaku-Music, whereupon the North Gates follow on whilst imitating Yaktisch Schaman traditions and Karelian rituals. Finally, from the South Gates to the West Gates the finale is built up with ringing African chimes based on Christian church music and the canonical text of the Stabat Mater.

Since the 1980’s Bronius Kutavičius (*1932) has been one of the most significant persons in Lithuanian musical circles. He tested many avant-garde techniques in the post-war years and worked with Raumklang music and sound-colour melody. Kutavičius was considered the pioneer of Lithuanian minimalism and the so-called »Heiden Minimalism« with its many repetitions and ritual character derived from ancient forms of Lithuanian folk music.

For the grand finale of her time at the Salzburg State Theatre Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla has chosen a composer from her home town in Lithuania. The mise-en-scène is created by another director from Lithuania together with choreographer Birutė Mar. Together with the choir of the Salzburg State Theatre and the Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra, the music of »The Gates of Jerusalem« will come to life in the Kollegienkirche.

A cooperation with the Kollegienkirche

Duration: ca. 80 min / keine Pause