Et in terra pax

Dieses Werk wurde im Auftrag der Concert Band Vlamertinge geschrieben und ist ein Plädoyer an den Frieden: Der Titel bedeutet dann auch ‘Frieden auf Erden’. This is expressed, among other things, in the vocal part of the performers. At various points in the work, the words 'Et In Terra Pax' sound like a pleading prayer for peace, initially mixed up and then united in rhythmic and structured synchronised singing.

A pentatonic theme forms the beginning of this work, based on the notes D, E, G, A, and C, . During the orchestral climax, which leads to the first outburst of sound (from bar 62), a somewhat sad melody emerges. Suddenly, the opening bars are taken up again, albeit with a different timbre; the words 'Et In Terra Pax' then round off the first section. This is followed by a restless Allegro, which is surprisingly interrupted by a chorale-like passage full of calm. Meanwhile, a speaking voice reads the poem Sonnet by the young poet Charles Hamilton Sorley, who died in the First World War. It finds the right words for the cruelty and senselessness of war. After the Allegro is repeated, this time with a few expansions, the vast, almost endless atmosphere of the beginning returns. The clarinets, together with an English horn, play the pentatonic opening theme one last time in an extended version, with the 'Et In Terra Pax' being repeated by the rest of the orchestra, and the composer has deliberately avoided any form of aggression or bombastic setting, which can be found in so many works about war. Nevertheless, the fear of violence and destruction can be clearly heard and felt, especially in the allegro passages. In the end, however, the initial tension gives way to hope: may peacefulness also banish cruelty in everyday life...