Die hängende Figur ist Judas

'Die hängende Figur ist Judas' (The hanging figure is Judas) was commissioned by Dr. Margitta Giera as a gift for the German sculptor Michael Langer. Hesketh’s first ideas for the work came from a photograph of the Great Tympanum carving of the Last Judgement at St. Foy Cathedral in Conques, France showing an image of the hanged Judas surrounded by mocking demons. Two violent outer movements frame a bleak central section with each movement of the piece unfolds a different perspective of a swinging motif, be it a chord, a gesture or a rhythm. This is a demanding work which will challenge the very best players.