World premiere of a Schnyder oratorio in Dresden
An oratorio by New York-based Swiss composer and saxophonist Daniel Schnyder is set to be the highlight of the 2013 Women's Church Festival in Dresden. The festival runs from October 24 to 27.
According to German press reports, the oratorio, which lasts around 40 minutes, will primarily be based on texts from the Old Testament. The German press agency quotes Schnyder as saying that it is "a kind of nudge prayer".
The Frauenkirche in Dresden was almost completely destroyed during the Second World War. It was reconstructed between 1994 and 2005. Today, it once again serves as one of the city's centers of sacred musical life.
According to his own characterization, Schnyder's music is situated in the areas of new music, classical music (chamber music and symphonic concert music), early music, ethnic music, crossover, jazz, big band, opera, oratorio, ballet and Latin music. In addition to his compositional activities, Schnyder regularly performs as a soloist, chamber musician and jazz improviser.
