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Timothy C. Takach
Timothy C. Takach Publications
Ein Abgang von Fledermäusen (A Departure of Bats)
Two choirs sing to depict the beauty of the night, honoring the silence.
SATB div. a cappella
Takach masterfully weaves environmental themes and the legacy of a German composer into a piece that is both thought-provoking and sonically captivating. With its elegant counterpoint and unique double trio texture, this strophic meditation on the night offers a luminous and intimate musical experience. Designed for a small ensemble, its harmonies bloom beautifully in a resonant space, making it a compelling addition to any choral program that embraces depth, contrast, and artistic sophistication.
Composer’s Notes
The Regensburg vocal ensemble StimmGold reached out to me to write a unique commission. They were looking to connect consequences of man-made climate change in the Upper Palatinate/Bavaria region on Germany with vocal works by the Upper Palatinate composer Max Reger.
For this piece, “Ein Abgang von Fledermäusen,” I focused on the decline in the bat population in Bavaria, which is due to agricultural insecticides, the refurbishment of old buildings, and windmills. They are losing about a quarter of a million bats each year. In 1911 Max Reger set Hebbel’s poem “Die Weihe der Nacht” for alto solo, TB choir and orchestra, and I chose to use a portion of this text for my piece.
The 6 voices are split into two choirs, and they sing to depict the beauty of the night, honoring the silence. The piece is roughy divided into thirds with somewhat strophic repetition, and on each repeat we hear fewer voices, suggesting the loss of these nocturnal creatures from Bavaria.
– Timothy C. Takach (2021)
Text
Nächtliche Stille!
Helige Fülle,
Wie von göttlichem Segen schwer,
Säuselt aus ewiger Ferne daher.
Was da lebte,
von allen Sterne neider.
— Christian Friedrich Hebbel, (1813-1863)
TRANSLATION:
Nocturnal silence!
Holy fullness,
Heavy with divine blessing,
Whispers along from eternal darkness.
What lived there,
down from all the stars.
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