Redbad

Redbad was the King of the Frisians during the period of c. 680 to 719. This musical portrait consists of seven connected movements which are closely interwoven thematically. The composer drew his inspiration from historical information, but also from stories, anecdotes, myths and legends from Redbad’s time. The work begins with a heroic theme that introduces the legendary King of the Frisians. Fragments of this theme keep returning throughout the work. By means of strongly contrasting thematic material, Hell or Heaven conveys the way Redbad refused to be converted to Christianity – according to one anecdote, this was because he was afraid that he would not be reunited with his forefathers in heaven. Redbad regularly fought the Franks from the south, who were led by Pepin of Herstal, or the Duke of the Franks. Because of his three nicknames, the Younger, the Middle and the Fat, this Frankish warlord is musically represented through solos played by the three trombone players. After Pepin’s death in 714, expressed in Elegy 1, a civil war broke out.