Words of War

Released
2014

A reflection on the poetry of the First World War.

Words of War was created as a commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the First World War in September 2014. This piece was created as part of a wide range of cultural events in Copenhagen initiated by The Golden Days Festival and REVERSE Festival.

The original piece seeks to explore and contemplate upon the war’s catastrophic impact on European civilization between 1914-1918.

Siobhan also used this project to show a unified international ensemble featuring chamber music soloists from a variety of musical genres. She aimed to convey this tragic topic within a multicultural collaboration.

Featuring the poetry of Owen, Yeats, Rosenberg and Brooks.

Composed and Directed by Siobhan Lamb.
Performed by The Suoni Ensemble with support of the Danish Arts Council.

September 17th 2014 19.30 h.
Christians Kirke, Strandgade 1, 1401 København

The Suoni Ensemble:

Mezzo soloist Stina Schmidt
Soprano-Sofie Elkjær Jensen
Alto-Stina Schmidt
Tenor-Martin Vanberg
Bass-Jakob Vad

Violin 1-Alexander Øllgaard
Violin 2-Maj Kullberg Øllgaard
Viola-Sanna Ripatti
Cello-Johan Theorin

Percussion-Lennart Gruvstedt
Flute Siobhan Lamb
Trumpet-Gerard Presencer
Harp-Angelika Wagner

“Returning, We Hear Larks” by Isaac Rosenberg

Sombre the night is.
And though we have our lives, we know
What sinister threat lurks there.

Dragging these anguished limbs, we only know
This poison-blasted track opens on our camp –
On a little safe sleep.

But hark! joy – joy – strange joy.
Lo! heights of night ringing with unseen larks.
Music showering our upturned list’ning faces.

Death could drop from the dark
As easily as song –
But song only dropped,
Like a blind man’s dreams on the sand
By dangerous tides,
Like a girl’s dark hair for she dreams no ruin lies there,
Or her kisses where a serpent hides.