Wouter Lenaerts

Devil's Island

The islands known as the 'Îles du Salut' are located in the Atlantic Ocean, just off the coast of French Guyana. The southernmost of the three islands, which is small and rocky, is the location of the world's most notorious prison of all time. 1852. Emperor Napoleon III opens the French penal colony. Thousands of political prisoners are sentenced to forced labour and expelled from France to live in 'hell on earth'. Most of them will never return to their homeland... Devil's Island opens with a threatening theme of destiny played on the vibraphone and chimes, followed by a lamenting piece by the bassoons. The warrior-like central piece symbolises the many escape attempts made by the desperate prisoners and it is sometimes quite hopeful. But these attempts are in vain... The strong sea currents around the island make it virtually impossible to escape! The theme of destiny consequently becomes quite desperate in the canon between euphonium and bugle. When the vibraphone and chimes can be heard again for the last time, the main theme is played once again on the flute and bass-clarinet. And then the lament begins again, this time played on the English horn and gradually fading away until only the silence of death remains'