Description

for male Bassbaritone singer and Symphonic Windband (1994)                                  

In 1994 Maurice Hamers was the Conductor of the Symphonic Windband of Simpelveld (St. Caecilia). For their participation in the ‘Concertafdeling’ in 1994 Maurice Hamers composed this work. With this Symphonic Windband he won the Dutch title and became the best Symphonic Windband in the Netherlands.

The name of the compostition El Conquistador (1994) literally refers to the Spanish conquerors who in the name of the church killed entire populations in Southern and Central America in the 16th century in order to gain power and weatlth. The title is symbolical and stands for all “conquistadors” of this earth and for their desire to rule and possess.

The text in El Conquistador is written by the composer. It is a critical reflexion on the sometimes ruthless human urge for power and possessions and the difficulty of coming to terms with that.

In this original work for symphonic wind orchestra and baritone the Archangel Michael, who is sent by God to lead the battle against the powers of Evil (Die Finsternis), offers the Conquistador to start his life again and renounce Evil. (Entscheide dich für Dunkelheit oder für neues Leben). This turns out to be more difficult than expected for the Conquistador. (Ein neues Leben ist nicht leicht). Finally he reflects and decides to allow more compassion and love into his new life. (Ich bin bereit, ich bin bereit…).

This work was recorded by the “Symphonic Wind Orchestra St. Michael of Thorn” under the direction of Ivan Meylemans (CD Persisting Winds).