The Battle of Varlar

The work calls to mind an important event from the history of the city Coesfeld in Germany: the battle of Varlar, which took place in the year 1454. The composition presents us with a bird's eye view of the events: First of all, the consecration of the chapel on the Klinkenberg mountain is set to music in a hymn, after which the trumpets and trombones announce the imminent battle. In the subsequent fray not only the sounds of sabres and rapiers can clearly be heard but also the wailing of the wounded. When the Duke of Brunswick is wounded and captured by the troops of Walraf, Konrad von Diepen and his men march on Coesfeld in victory. Set against a festive melody, the hymnresounds in full glory.