ANEMOI (2023/2024)

ANEMOI: Full recording
Berliner Philharmoniker
Conducted by François-Xavier Roth
World première, 18 May 2024,
Berliner Philharmonie
©2024 by Berliner Philharmoniker
Digital Concert Hall

ANEMOI: Interview
©2024 by Berliner Philharmoniker
Digital Concert Hall

In ancient Greek religion and mythology the ANEMOI were eight wind deities, subject to the god Aiolos, the ruler of all winds, and each assigned a direction from which their winds came and each associated with different seasons and weather conditions, influencing amongst other things the changing of the climate, spreading of diseases and the outcome of wars – all continuing concerns for world leaders today. In his book “Heaven‘s Breath: A Natural History of the Wind“ the author Lyall Watson describes the wind as a “combination of a force that cannot be apprehended, but nevertheless has an undeniable existence“ – his quote could just as easily apply to music. In the symphonic work ANEMOI, each of the eight ancient Greek wind gods Boreas, Kaikias, Apeliotes, Euros, Notos, Livas, Zephyros and Skiron (depicted in this succession on the Tower of the Winds, an octagonal marble clocktower in the Roman Agora in Athens built around 50 BC and still standing) is characterised by various instrumental formations within the orchestra, including allusions to ancient Greek musical instruments such as the lyre and aulos, the latter‘s harsh sound being reminiscent of either the howling of wolves or an air raid siren.

Vito Žuraj

Review by Mark Berry on Boulezian: BPO/Roth – Žuraj and Bruckner, 19 May 2024