Instrumentation:

Duration: ~15:00

Premiered: 08.07.2023

Orchestra: Philharmonie Baden-Baden

Conductor: Heiko-Mathias Förster

Sainte-Marie-Du-Mont(FR)

Musée de Débarquement

This piece was commissioned by the Baden-Baden Philharmonics and premiered in Sainte-Marie-Du-Mont (at Utah Beach, to be precise) during a concert that commemorated 60 years of the Elysee-Treaty and the ever-evolving German-French relationship.

After World War II ended, many unbelievable stories came to light. This piece was inspired by one specific story: the tale of John Steele, a paratrooper of the Allied forces who took part in the landing operation to capture Utah Beach during D-Day. Steele's story is so remarkable that he is still honored today with a memorial at the church of Sainte-Mère-Église.

Through this piece, I aimed to capture the emotions Steele may have experienced just before and during his parachute jump, to reflect on the horrors of war, and most importantly, to shed light on the post-war period. The composition explores themes of sadness, grief, and pain, while also highlighting the slow emergence of optimism and the ultimate revival of humanity that prevailed even in those challenging times.

Blogpost(GER)

Interview with ClassiqueNews(FR)

RadioFrance about '24 concerts with Philharmonie Baden-Baden(FR)