{"content":"\n
\n \n About work:

The stage oratorio Son of Man is the original creation of the Slovak Chamber Choir (SKZ); a branch of the Slovak State Folk Ensemble, known to many by its Slovak acronym, SĽUK. In this dramatic, evangelical work, composer Ilja Zeljenka departs from the tradition of the Gregorian chant and gives a unique form to the vocal orations of the characters. Jesus's disciples are simple shepherds from the Slovak mountains and meadows. The tortured, crucified Christ is presented not only as the son of God and the son of the Holy Mother, but also as the son of a woman who must witecss the death and burial of her own child. Even today, nearly two thousand years after Christ's death, people still search out and find meaning in his teachings. In order to make the themes presented in the oratorio more accessible to his modern-day audiences, the composer incorporates into the composition strains of traditional Slovak folk music and song. From quiet chamber pieces, to lyrical ballads, to passionate exultations, the solos of the main characters take on many forms and encompass various levels of dramatic action. The sounds of classical instrumcnts are artfully blended with those of traditional Slovak folk instruments to create a dynamic musical rendition of the Passion of Christ.


\n (Mária Farkašová, in: CD booklet \"Son of Man\", A.L.I. Records 1994)
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\n Movements:
\n\n Prelude\n 13' 40''\n
\n\n The Shepherd\n 18' 40''\n
\n\n The Darkest Hour\n 19'\n
\n\n Crucify Him!\n 23'\n
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First performance in Slovakia

\n \n \n 25.03.1993,\n Chamber stage of the Slovak Folk Art Ensemble,\n Bratislava-Rusovce,\n SK\n\n
Performers: Vladimír Kubovčík (b), Ľudovít Ludha (t), Jozef Ábel (t), Juraj Peter (b), Lívia Ághová (s), Hana Štolfová-Bandová (ms), František Urcikán (t), Milada Mačáková (s), Ján Pražienka (t), Moyzes Quartet, Slovenský komorný zbor SĽUKu, The Slovak Folk Artistic Ensemble's Choir, Pavol Procházka (dir.)\n
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