Thomas Asanger

Headlights

On the occasion of the 1200th anniversary of the market town of Gunskirchen (Upper Austria), Thomas Asanger was commissioned to compose a piece that thematizes the various facets of the town from past to present. Because of the enormous multitude of events, only a selection can contribute to the subject of the composition. When telling history, it is always decisive where the spotlights ("headlights") are focused. Not all of history can be presented when so much history has been written. Various events are narrated throughout the piece, from which some highlights of history and the present emerge.

The four-part work deals with the history of the place (1), faith and religions (2), the economic significance of the place (3), the sociability of the people (4) and the place as a meeting place of people in their diversity (5).

This composition was created with the help of a contribution from the Music Investment Fund, an initiative of Buma/Stemra in cooperation with Voi(C)e, the Copyright Interests Federation and the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science in the Netherlands.