‘Only from suffering is art born’ from the song by Annie M.G. Schmidt is not without reason has become a popular expression. In times of crisis, both global and private, poetry and music can help express confusion and sadness. Such heartfelt cries from various writers and poets are the starting point in this program. From inmates in Clairvaux prison who entrusted their inner struggles to composer Thierry Machuel to the famous words of Etty Hillesum that inspired Andries Clement. From the brave words of the Pakistani Malala Yousafzai who call for resistance against the Taliban regime (set to music by Marion von Tilzer), Rilke’s heartbreaking Schlaflied (Bikkembergs), disguised as a love poem, to the defeated stillness of Rudolf Mauersberger’s Wieliegt die The city was so sad at the sight of the bombed-out city. The profundis clamavi from Psalm 130 cannot of course be omitted, we choose Vic Nees’ version. Calliope Tsoupaki’s Vesper and Maurice Duruflé’s Ubi Caritas sound as consolation.

Concerts are on Saturday, October 14 at 3:30 PM in the Utrecht Geertekerk and on Sunday, October 15 at 3:30 PM in the Oude Kerk in Soest.