Being on the way under stars
Music and thoughts on pilgrimage between space and time
In the Middle Ages, the Milky Way was regarded as a cosmic signpost to the longed-for destination of Santiago de Compostela. A network of "Starry Paths" created by countless feet across today's Europe is a reminder of the search movement of pilgrims who traveled along the stars towards Spain to the tomb of St. James.
Under the title "Starry Path/
Choir of angels in the tympanum of the Thann Cathedral, Theobaldus Church (14th-16th c.)
Angels playing music in the choir (14th century) of the Protestant parish church in Heuchelheim (Palatinate)
It has been handed down that medieval pilgrims communicated not only through language but also through their rituals. Music and dance played an important role in this. In many cases, this music was an expression of the pilgrims' devotion to the divine, which was revealed to them along the way in the holy places.
Against this backdrop, the idea of creating a "sound book" together with the Akademie für Alte Musik im Saarland was born in order to reflect on the topic in a poetic way using music from many centuries. Members of the Academy's Artistic Advisory Board have compiled a selection of musical works, most of which have been recorded especially for the project. Texts and photographs make reference to this music and, in combination, allow deeper access to the central ideas that the project aims to convey.
This sound book is the result of an intensive collaboration between the Akademie für Alte Musik im Saarland and its musicians and the Regionalverband Saarbrücken. Through the power of music and imagination, we would like to make a poetic contribution that mediates between times and invites you to pause and reflect. If possible, the sound book will also be performed in the coming year as part of concert readings in medieval churches along the Starry Path.
Mechthild Blaumer and Peter Michael Lupp
Excerpt from the CD
6. Passacaglia "Guardian Angel Sonata", part 2, settings of Psalm 91, 11-12
Played by Mechthild Blaumer
7. Psalm 91, 11-12
Spoken by Katharina Bihler
8. Gregorian chant Angelis Suis
Sung by the Schola Vocanto
Sources of supply
The sound book is currently available from:
Academy for Early Music in Saarland, akademie@alte-musik-saarland.de
Mechthild Blaumer, mechthildblaumer@web.de
Tourist Info Saarbrücker Schloss, Tel. +49 681 506-6006, touristinfo@rvsbr.de
Price: 18,- €
Further information: Peter Michael Lupp, Cultural Officer Regionalverband Saarbrücken, pm.lupp@web.de
Tholey, Benedictine monastery, parish church of St. Mauritius (13th century, originally 7th century), tracery window with star motif designed by the Afghan artist Mahbuba Maqsoodi
Imprint
Publisher: Academy for Early Music in Saarland in cooperation with the Regional Association Saarbrücken
Conception: Mechthild Blaumer, board member of the Akademie für Alte Musik im Saarland, and Peter Michael Lupp, Cultural Officer Regional Association Saarbrücken
Music selection: Mechthild Blaumer, Bernhard Stilz
Sound engineer: Robert Foede
Sound engineer: Thomas Becher
Preface, poetic texts, photographs, cover picture "La Voie Lactée": Peter Michael Lupp
Introduction, texts to the music: Mechthild Blaumer
Design: Elke Birkelbach
A production of Saarländischer Rundfunk, Saarbrücken, 2021
Interview
SR 2 KulturRadio Interview Mechthild Blaumer and Peter-Michael Lupp with Denise Dreyer