‘Legs are most precious thing. Those touched by the knife of war walk on the shoulders of those who have saved their legs. To go on – is the most important thing, not to stop, not to be locked up,’ runs the text recited by its author, poet and translator Tadeusz Sławek, while Oriental instruments (the oud, daf, and darbuka) are improvising in the background. The Near East’s musical traditions thus knock on the door of the West’s culture, in counterpoint with the soloists, choral parts, and the electronics. Krzysztof Knittel’s Canticum profugorum is an oratorio for soprano (Freszel), baritone (Godlewski), actor, children’s and mixed choirs, oud, percussion, orchestra, and electronic media. Its libretto and music deal with our present-day world, where comfort zones are long gone. Refugees have always been an integral part of our reality, and they are left to count on our help, understanding, and empathy. Knittel’s tale is about those forced to wander the world (forever?) and those who support them in their wandering. The work’s premiere, held on on 25 November 2022 at the Silesian Philharmonic in Katowice under the baton of Yaroslav Shemet, was recorded and has now been released on an album. ‘One world is enough for all of us,’ or so they say… But who, in our day, listens intently to the refugees’ song and tale?
- Series: ANAKLASIS
- Language of text: polski
- No. of edition: 1
- Published: 2025
- Type: CD
