"media vita in morte sumus" (Minimal Music style, p-fff)

The composer writes (translated):
“'media vita in morte sumus' has been composed in Minimal Music style for organ with a large dynamic progression from an 8’ flute up to the tutti of the organ. A three-manual instrument is required for the double echo-effects from bar 321, also a powerful solo reed (Chamade, Tuba or the like) for the right hand solos from bar 193. The piece will sound most convincing being played with metronomic preciseness as far as possible. The composition has 24 phrases consisting of 4x4 bars. After each 4 phrases the registration changes, after 8 phrases a new harmonic part is beginning. The first and the third part use the same harmonic material. In the last 4 phrases we hear the first two lines of the choral “Mitten wir im Leben sind mit dem Tod umfangen” by Martin Luther, based on the early church antiphon “media vita in morte sumus” from the 11th century until the piece comes to an abrupt ending.

This piece has been written after the accidential death of my brother in the late summer 2007 and invites musicians and listeners to reflect on the transience of our life."

(Published at Dohr Verlag)