Located in the UK
Located in the USA
Located in Europe
- Volker Bertelmann
Flood and Drought (2017)
- Bosworth Music (World)
Programme Note
"A few years ago, when I was in Los Angeles for a concert, I saw for the first time a dried-up water reservoir. The sight was as impressive as it was alarming: there was this huge metropolis in front of me, bustling with people, whose water supplies were exhausted – a truly disturbing situation. Then, a few days ago, I heard the news that a dam broke in northern California due to a large buildup of water. Such disasters enter into our everyday lives; they are events which are beyond our control. They remind us of how powerless we are at times, despite all of our civilising successes and supposed progress.
The idea of biblical prophecies is being called to mind, especially when the causes are man-made.
Against a background of a natural catastrophe the individual is revealed in their fragility.
These are the ideas that "Flood and Drought" explores. For me, music is an expression of the force of nature.
However, the piece also considers the feeling of catharsis when one is able to rethink and come to terms with how humans interact with their potentially volatile natural habitat.”
Volker Bertelmann, February 2017
The idea of biblical prophecies is being called to mind, especially when the causes are man-made.
Against a background of a natural catastrophe the individual is revealed in their fragility.
These are the ideas that "Flood and Drought" explores. For me, music is an expression of the force of nature.
However, the piece also considers the feeling of catharsis when one is able to rethink and come to terms with how humans interact with their potentially volatile natural habitat.”
Volker Bertelmann, February 2017