Do the gods care about humanity or are we all destined to an ultimate tragic fate? This timeless question lies at the heart of Schicksalslied (Song of Destiny) by renowned German composer Johannes Brahms.
Written between 1868 and 1871, this musical masterpiece is based on a poem by Friedrich Hölderlin, which can be found in Hölderlin’s novel Hyperion. The poem compares the gods, which live in a blissful state, with the despair of humanity, whose suffering the gods seem indifferent to.
The great German musician, however, could not agree with his literary countryman that our ultimate destiny is to be ignored by fate. That is why his musical piece ends with a positive note which suggests that humanity can be saved.
“I am saying something that the poet does not say,” observed Brahms. “[I]t would certainly be better if what is missing had been the most important thing for [Hölderlin].”
This musical reflection on the distance between the heavens and earth will be on full display on February 26-27, when the NAC Orchestra teams up with several local choirs. The select community-based Ottawa Festival Choir is on the bill, as are the Cantata Singers of Ottawa, who have been performing since the 1960s.
The Ewashko Singers, who were formed in 1992 for a live broadcast celebrating the 50th anniversary of Radio Canada International, and the renowned Ottawa Choral Society will also be singing in the Schicksalslied performance.
While this concert is headlined by a performance of Brahms’ Third Symphony, as well as offering the sounds of Austrian composer Arnold Schoenberg’s string orchestra piece Verklärte Nacht (Transfigured Night), it’s Schicksalslied – which opens the concert – that will set the mood. For the reflections on heaven and earth will provide a great appetizer to the main symphonic course.
So come hear some divine music, as you contemplate the question of humanity’s true fate.
The NAC Orchestra and several local choirs perform will be performing Johannes Brahms Schicksalslied on February 26 and 27 at the NAC. Also on the bill is Arnold Schoenberg’s Verklärte Nacht and Brahms’ Third Symphony. Tickets start at $23 and show time on both nights is 8 pm.
