Being on the way under stars

Music and thoughts on pilgrimage between space and time

Buchcover Klangbuch Unterwegs sein unter Sternen

In the Middle Ages, the Milky Way was considered a cosmic signpost to the yearning destination of Santiago de Compostela. A network of "star trails" created by countless feet across today's Europe recalls the search movement of St. James pilgrims who traveled along the stars in the direction of Spain to the tomb of St. James.

Under the title "Stars Way/Chemin des étoiles" the Regional Association of Saarbrücken launched a European model project in 2010, which symbolically refers to the cosmic signpost of the pilgrims in the time of origin and the myth of the pilgrimage of St. James. It is about searching for traces and conscious discovery in order to touch deeply: the people, the landscape, the cultural heritage and the community.

Choir of angels in the tympanum of the Thann Cathedral, Theobaldus Church (14th-16th c.)

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)

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.

With this background, together with the Akademie für Alte Musik im Saarland, the idea has arisen to create a "sound book" to reflect the theme in a poetic way with the music from many centuries. Members of the Academy's Artistic Advisory Board have compiled a selection of musical works, most of which were recorded specifically for the project. Texts and photographs refer to this music and allow in the interplay a deepening access to the central ideas that the project wants to convey.

This sound book is the result of intensive collaboration between the Akademie für Alte Musik im Saarland and its musicians and the Regional Association Saarbrücken. Through the power of music and imagination, we would like to make a poetic contribution that mediates between times and invites us 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 Way of the Stars.

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 Saarbrücken Castle, Tel. 0049 681 / 506-6006, touristinfo@rvsbr.de

Price: 18,- €

Further information: Peter Michael Lupp, Cultural Officer Regional Association Saarbrücken, peter.lupp@rvsbr.de

NYOUR BLICK THIS WAY ENDS NOT AT A GOAL, BUT STARTS AT THE END AN OLD WORLD WITH A NEW LIFE.
Maßwerkfenster mit Sternmotiv

Tholey, Benedictine monastery, parish church of St. Mauritius (13th c. /origin. 7th c.), tracery window with star motif designed by 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

Logo Akademie für Alte Musik im Saarland Logo Regionalverband Saarbrücken Logo Saarländischer Rundfunk

Interview

SR 2 KulturRadio Interview Mechthild Blaumer and Peter-Michael Lupp with Denise Dreyer