Oliver Waespi

Canzun

Canzun' is the Rhaeto-Romanic term for 'song' or 'chant'. The work Canzun is based on two songs from the folk tradition of the Alps. In the middle movement, we hear the Canzun della Sontga Margriata, an old song from the Bündner Mountains about the legend of Saint Margriata. At the beginning and the end of the composition, motifs from a Maria hymn from Vorarlberg can be heard. Thus, two songs from neighbouring Alps regions are connected and developed together creating lively, dynamic sections as well as lyrical, lofty passages. The strength of the concert band gives room to wide, expressive melody lines in many contrasting sound colours.