Being on the way under stars
Music and thoughts on pilgrimage between space and time
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/
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.
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
Tholey, Benedictine monastery, parish church of St. Mauritius (13th c. /
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
