Versunkene Stadt

Rolf Rudin

The title of this work translates from the German as Submerged City. It bears the designation Opus 45.

Subtitle: A Playing of the Waves

N.B. There are two versions of this work, one with mixed chorus and one without. This record describes the version with the chorus, Opus 45. The version without chorus is Opus 45a, entitled Ein Wellenspiel (A Playing of the Waves).

General Info

Year: 1997
Duration: c. 11:30
Difficulty: V (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: edition flor
Cost: Score and Parts - Contact Rolf Rudin

Instrumentation

Full Score
Flute I-II-III
Oboe I-II
English Horn
Bassoon I-II
E-flat Soprano Clarinet
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III (div.)
E-flat Alto Clarinet
B-flat Bass Clarinet
B-flat Contrabass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Cornet/B-flat Bugle I-II
B-flat Trumpet I-II-III-IV
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III-IV
Euphonium I-II
Tuba I-II
String Bass
Timpani
Percussion, including:

Bass Drum
Bells
Chimes
Crash Cymbals
Suspended Cymbals (5)
Tam-tam (large)
Triangle
Vibraphone

SATB Chorus

Errata

None discovered thus far.

Program Notes

Here, for the first time in Rudin's oeuvre as a composer, a mixed chorus was added to the symphonic wind orchestra. According to an old Carinthian legend, an entire city with all inhabitants submerged in the floods pouring out from a wondrous keg. Next morning a large lake covered woods and fields. When the waves touch the submerged bells, even today their pealing is heard from the depths from time to time.

The whole piece is "carried" by the woodwinds in an incessant flow like a tonal metaphor of the flowing manifestation of that vital element, water. This flow is relentless within continuously alternating undulations. The text for the choir is solely based on combinations of syllables and letters of the title, creating the impression of ritual semantics through constant repetitions. It is only towards the end of the composition that the phonetic silhouette is heard. Choir, wind orchestra and audience alike give heed to the playing of the waves creating the pealing of the bells form the church towers of the Submerged City.

Commissioned by the State of Carinthia/Austria for the "Madrigalchor Klagenfurt," the "A-Cappella-Chor Villach" and die Military Music of Carinthia. Premiered at the 8th International WASBE Conference 1997 at Schladming/Austria.

- Program Note from publisher

Media

(Needed - please join the WRP if you can help.)

State Ratings

None discovered thus far.

Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

Militärmusik Kärnten, Madrigalchor Klagenfurt and A-Cappella-Chor Villach (Sigismund Seidl, conductor) – 1997 - WASBE Conference, Schladming, Austria *Premiere Performance*

Works for Winds by This Composer

Abendklänge (2000/01)
Am Ende Des Tages (2000)
Amen (2011)
Aufbruch (2008)
Bacchanale (1990/1998)
Bis ins Unendliche… (2000/2001
Bleicher Mond (1997)
A Christmas Carol (2008)
Curiosity (2013)
Das Verströmen der Seele – Eine Totenklage (1997)
Der Traum Des Oenghus (1993/94, 1996)
Die Druiden (1994)
The Dream of Oenghus. See: Der Traum Des Oenghus
Ein Wellenspiel (1997)
Ferne Weite (2005)
Firmament (1995)
Geheimnisvoller Ort (2016)
The God Particle (2014)
Hymn and Hallelujah (2011)
Imperial Prelude (1989)
Klingsteinberg (2016/17)
Lied ohne Worte (1997)
A Little Walk in the Garden (2003)
Lost Message (2013)
Mondspiegel (1999)
Nice Message (2013)
An Old French Sailor's Tale (2004)
Open Up! (2003)
Out of Nowhere (2007/8)
A Playing of the Waves. See: Ein Wellenspiel
Psychograms. See: Symphony No. 5
Requiem (2005)
Sechs Tänze (2006)
Shepherds' Procession (2004)
Silent Message (2013)
Smileys (2013)
SMS (2013)
Song without Words. See: Lied ohne Worte
Stille Hoffnung (2010)
Storm (2007)
Submerged City. See: Versunkene Stadt
Symphony No. 1 (1991–93)
Symphony No. 4 (1994/95)
Symphony No. 5 (2014)
Te Deum (2016/17)
Tore der Sonne (2008)
Versunkene Stadt (1997)
Vom Ende der Zeit (1998/99)
Wi(e)derhall (1995/96)
Wolkenstein-Lieder (2000)
World - Why - Die II? (2001/2015)
Zwanzig Schritte (1999)

Resources

Rolf Rudin, personal correspondence, January 2021
Rolf Rudin website Accessed 1 November 2019
Rudin, R. [1997]. Versunkene Stadt: ein Wellenspiel: für gemischten Chor und sinfonisches Blasorkester, op. 45 [score]. edition flor: [Germany].