WIEGENLIEDER IM ALL/ LULLABIES IN SPACE
For mixed choir and blackcap obbligato
Duration: c. 7 min.
Texts in Swedish and German
From an old Swedish folk hymn, cradle songs grow, unfurling into the world, into space. Their melodies meet and intertwine. Sounds and phrases mingle. All is quiet, full of hope and trust.
The lullaby and the prayer are among the oldest musical utterances of humankind. Since the beginning, we have quieted and comforted our children by singing them to sleep. In prayer and stillness, we have found strength and asked for help in hard and confusing times.
Now is such a time: a hard time of pandemic, war, and climate crisis.
The social body is vulnerable. People are vulnerable. We need tender music.
Karin Rehnqvist
4 April 2022
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The piece includes a soundtrack of a blackcap bird’s song. It was recorded by Sten Wahlström for Radio Sweden and edited by Erik Klinga.
Wiegenlieder im All was composed for and commissioned by the Neuer Kammerchor Berlin.
Its first performance was on 7 May 2022 in the St. Matthäus Church, Berlin, conducted by Adrian Emans.
Texts
1. Die Erde ruhet stille,
die Luft ist kühl und dunkel,
alle Wälder schlafen sü.;
und du, mein Kind, sollst schlafen,
alle Wolken und alle Vögel schlafen,
Träum schön bis morgen,
wenn die Sonne wieder scheint.
2. Der Mond schwebt still in der Nacht.
Der Himmel schimmert von Sternen,
und die Planeten grü.en uns aus der Ferne.
Es leuchtet über dir.
Es schimmert über dir und mir.
3. Schlaf ein, kleines Federkind,
Schlaf ein, schlaf schön.
Morgen fliegen wir mit dem Winde,
morgen fliegen wir weit hinaus;
über Berge und Flüsse,
über Städte und Kühe;
dann, ganz ohne Mühe,
sind wir wieder zuhaus’.
Schlaf ein, schlaf schön.
– Karin Rehnqvist
