| |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
Of course, this is not a Ban, Op.40
Classical • 2020 • Alternative Title: Of course, this is not a Ban
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
Of course, this is not a Ban
Instrumentation |
Clarinet |
Scored for |
Solo |
Type of score |
For a single performer |
Movement(s) |
1 to 1 from 1 |
Publisher |
Johann Teibenbacher |
Difficulty |
Difficult |
Duration |
3'0 |
The pandemic and the associated lockdown restrictions imposed by the Austrian government have affected us all and meant a huge change in our social behavior.
Suddenly, we were told to stay at home, only go out for essential errands, keep our distance, and not visit friends and relatives so as not to endanger their health.
I was homesick too, but I didn't go to visit my father in Styria and strictly adhered to the decrees and restrictions.
After weeks, it suddenly turned out that it had never been forbidden to visit relatives or friends; it was a misunderstanding, an inaccurate wording on the Ministry of Health's website.
“Of course, this is not a Ban...,” said a spokeswoman for the ministry. “The private sphere is not covered by this; the traffic restrictions are limited to public places.”
That hurt twice as much, because apart from the fact that we had long refrained from visiting our loved ones, it now turned out that we had been led up the garden path for weeks and hadn't even noticed.
When clarinetist Simon Reitmaier approached me for a solo piece with the theme “What does home mean to us today?”, I knew immediately that I would incorporate my very private and painful experiences into this composition.
After a rhapsodic introduction, the piece features motifs from the “Brandhof Song.”
The Brandhof is located on the Styrian Seeberg, not far from where I grew up.
It was there that Archduke Johann married Anna Plochl, the postmaster's daughter.
That is home for me.
Like many, many of my fellow citizens, I was at home, but not at home for a long time.
When I was allowed to return home, I felt exhausted, but found peace and quiet.
What remains is melancholy.
The Composer in June 2020
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|