Diptych for New Life (2017)

1. Aubade: “…frate Sole, lo qual è iorno…”
2. Toccata: ”Ellu è bellu e radiante cum grande splendore!”

Diptych for New Life (2017) is dedicated to Andreas Willscher. The inspiration comes from lines about the sun in the “Canticle of the Sun” by St. Francis of Assisi: “…Brother Sun, who brings the day…” (Aubade) and “He is beautiful and radiant in all his splendor!” (Toccata). As in many of my works, the sun is used as a metaphor for new life.

The two “panels” of the diptych are both optimistic in their emotional state, and they share musical material. However, the manners of expression are contrasting. “Aubade” (a song of the dawn) is gentle and lyrical: the coming of the dawn. “Toccata” is excited and joyous: the brightness of midday.