(SW 1043)
Male Chorus – TTBB
A text from "Des Knaben Wunderhorn", slightly shortened by the composer is set to music here in several sections, whereby the rhythmic models given by the text constantly reappear in the horizontal and vertical course, almost in the rigor of an isorhythmic motet. The underlying 6/8 measure is broken again and again, only to be recorded again, which results in succinct rhythmic reversals, as in early music. On the one hand, the melos is characterized by its stringent linearity and, on the other hand, by the modal formations of a certain tartness. Even as pure "eye music" it is wonderful to see how the text is sometimes performed linearly, sometimes in set pieces. Perhaps Ridil is closest to Brahms in this 1993 composed piece, especially his (Brahms') ability to "compose over the bar lines". Also we are reminded on choruses like "Stand ein Mädchen, stand an Berges Abhang", when the piece ends, after all of its tightly moved, almost baroque ornamental finally culminates in a splendid, six-part conclusion; a pretty demanding, but all the more rewarding "delicacy".
Martin Schmeck