Drei Biblische Balladen (op. 12)

 

To be premiered…

Three Biblical Ballads is a collection of three independent songs for tenor and piano, each setting a poem that reimagines biblical narratives through the lens of German literary tradition. Spanning different stylistic periods, these texts offer distinct poetic perspectives on figures caught in moments of crisis, transformation, and fate. From the formal restraint of early 19th-century classicism to the heightened drama of Romanticism and the intense expressivity of early 20th-century poetry, the collection reflects the evolving engagement with biblical themes in German literature.

The first song, Saul und David, is based on a poem by August von Platen (1796–1835), a poet known for his refined language and classical clarity. His text captures a moment of stark psychological contrast: the tormented King Saul, wracked by anxiety and inner turmoil, and the young David, whose music flows with effortless serenity. As Saul’s paranoia grows, David remains untouched by fear—a juxtaposition that heightens the tragic inevitability of their destinies.

Pharao, the second song, sets a poem by Moritz von Strachwitz (1822–1847), whose Romantic intensity lends itself to a striking portrayal of defiance and downfall. Pharaoh stands as a figure of absolute power, yet his refusal to yield ultimately seals his fate. The poem unfolds with a relentless, almost fateful momentum, mirroring the inexorable force that brings about his destruction.

The final song, Joseph wird verkauft, takes its text from Else Lasker-Schüler (1869–1945), one of the most distinctive voices of German Expressionism. Her retelling of Joseph’s betrayal transforms the biblical account into a hauntingly personal vision, where loss, exile, and fate are imbued with dreamlike imagery. The language is fragmented, emotionally raw, and deeply symbolic, reflecting the poet’s unique ability to fuse myth with inner experience.

Written for the Austrian tenor Johannes Bamberger, these three songs stand as individual works, each exploring a moment of profound human struggle. Their musical settings engage with the dramatic, psychological, and lyrical dimensions of their texts, offering a contemporary interpretation of these enduring narratives.