Jihlava

Program note to the original version for wind instruments from 2003:

After WW II, thousands of people were exiled from different parts of Europe. Amongst them the "Sudeten-Deutschen" from Jihlava, Iglau, in the Czech Republic. "Jihlava" was written to commemorate the suffering and hardship of these people, that sometimes had to travel hundreds of kilometers by foot in search of a new existence. Amongst these people were my grandmother and my mother. It is devastating to me that history repeats itself time and time again.

Although very aware of the fact that this composition is just a mere drop in the ocean, I wrote it to make a statement against the repression of minorities, and call for mutual respect between our world’s religions, races, cultures and beliefs!

About this version for orchestra, 2024:

More than 20 years after having written "Jihlava" for symphonic winds, I decided to write this version for orchestra. In light of current world affairs, after having finally visited Jihlava -which made great impact- and after a period of great personal loss, composing this work seemed like the only way forward.

Indeed, history keeps repeating itself, but with more vigor and destructiveness than I ever thought imaginable two decades ago. Because of these reasons, this orchestral version is perhaps even more introspective, and harbors the pain of this realization.

I never had the illusion that writing this deeply personal piece would make a difference in the world. And yet, this is my voice, and I am determined to use it.

With the utmost intensity, I repeat my original plea and strongly echo my statement against the repression of minorities.

I will keeping doing this, until my voice finally dies out.

The euphonium in the beginning of the piece represents the voice of my grandfather, having heard he has been drafted for the war. He tries to be courageous, but also fears for his life. The fact that he cannot be present at the birth of his twins though, pains him the most. He dreads the fact that he might not come back to see them.

The Lento in measure 56, is a written out Da Capo, a symbol of history repeating itself. Here the theme from the beginning is played by the Cor Anglais, which represents the voice of his widow, my grandmother. She mourns his death, and now tells his story, as he is no longer with us to tell it himself.

The sound of the tenor drums at E signifies the gunshots that fatally wounded my grandfather at the front.

All royalties from sales and performances of this work are donated to the International Red Cross, who were instrumental in reuniting my family after the exile.