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On November 4, the new choral work *La Noche Oscura del Alma* by Dutch composer Mathilde Wantenaar received its world premiere, performed by Cappella Amsterdam under the direction of Daniel Reuss in a sold-out concert hall at the Muziekgebouw aan ’t IJ. The concert took place during the tenth edition of the Amsterdam Cello Biennale, where cellists Johannes Moser, Pieter Wispelwey, and Kristina Blaumane created a special harmony with the choir through their subtle, interwoven playing.
Wantenaar drew her inspiration for this composition from the work *Sonnengesang* by the Russian composer Sofia Gubaidulina, which was also on the concert program. Just like Gubaidulina’s work, which is based on the writings of the mystical Italian monk and poet Francis of Assisi, Wantenaar chose a spiritual and poetic text: the 16th-century poem *La Noche Oscura del Alma* by the Spanish mystic John of the Cross. This poem, which is both a spiritual journey and a love song, describes the quest for enlightenment and redemption in the midst of the dark night of the soul.
“There are rumors that it was written when San Juan himself was going through a very difficult time, as he was being held captive in a small, dark cell and was often tortured.” With *La Noche Oscura del Alma* as my starting point, I decided to look for more poems on the theme of the dark night of the soul, but written in different languages and from different periods. I found two more poems: “Sonnet XIV” by Louise Labé (a 16th-century poet from Lyon) in French, and“Ночь / Nacht”by Pushkin in Russian. I thought that the idea of these different voices—in different languages, at different times and in different places—making observations and whispering about the same eternal yet mysterious subject of the soul, of love, and of death, could result in a wonderful piece. In this, I see the role of the cello as a kind of symbol for the soul. “That which has no words, yet sings and weaves everything together.”
– Mathilde Wantenaar
With this composition, Mathilde Wantenaar reinforces her reputation as a composer who knows how to combine tradition and innovation. Her work invites reflection and touches on themes that resonate across centuries and national borders. La Noche Oscura del Alma is thus a valuable addition to the contemporary repertoire, challenging and connecting both the listener and the performer.
Don’t miss the chance to experience *La Noche Oscura del Alma* live at one of Cappella Amsterdam’s upcoming concerts, where this new musical journey through the soul, love, and the dark night will come to life once again: it will be performed again on November 8 and 9 in Den Bosch and Alkmaar.
