"Annelies" - an oratorio that awakens emotions

"The work Annelies gets under your skin," says Max Aeberli in conversation, "but despite all the tragedy, the oratorio has many bright and touching moments." According to the motto "let's take a look", he presented the sheet music to the 80 or so singers of the team choir, including the ad hoc choir, with a considerable head start in terms of knowledge. From the collection of quotations set to music from the Diary of Anne Frank Although the choir was very moved right from the start, the subject matter and statements in particular have to be processed mentally on an ongoing basis. "It makes me think about how people, especially in the greatest need, do not give up, draw strength from the smallest glimmer of hope, find support in faith," explains Aeberli, drawing parallels with the current flood of refugees and the attacks on innocent citizens around the world. At the same time, he alludes to the musical sequences that reflect the lives of people during the Holocaust, both the bad and the good.

Challenging part for the choir
Max Aeberli is aware that the title "Annelies" is initially irritating, but on the other hand it is intended to arouse curiosity as to what lies behind it. The choirmaster says it was a lucky coincidence that he came across the work. He had performed a short tone poem by the English composer James Whitbourn (born 1963) as part of his work with the Arosa Festival Choir. He then came across it on the Internet under the composer's name. Annelies has been encountered. According to Aeberli, the oratorio is still little known in this country, but this will certainly change with the Swiss premiere on March 19 in the Catholic church in Jona. "The composer has an excellent understanding of how to set the dark subject matter to music in a contemporary way. Annelies is demanding for singers and listeners, is guaranteed to arouse emotions in everyone and will trigger lasting thoughts." He speaks of a simplicity coupled with polyphony with few dissonances, which dissolve again and again in the most beautiful way. The work is generally sung in English, but it also contains a few German passages, such as the folk song Winter has passed, I see the glow of May.