Main
instruments are voice, guitar and piano/keyboard.. 3 CD releases: “Som stjerneskudd” (1995) “Solen skinner”
(1997) and “I mesterens spor” (2010). Other works ”Let it grow” (2001) and the musical ”Younity” (in
progress). Some of the videos on Youtube: “All the angels are singing” (2012), “Hæla i taket” (2013) and
“Sakte farvel” (2020).
2014 (autumn) Presentation of the family and the artist Rupert in NRK´s (the main Norwegian broadcast)
famous program series “Der ingen skulle tru at nokon kunne bu” – shown all over Scandinavia
What is YOUNITY?
It’s always hard for a composer to describe the music he/she is working with.
I could say that YOUNITY is the very heart of all the music I am composing. In its form mixture between an oratorio and a musical, it tells about the history of mankind. And therefore about good and evil, loneliness, creation, religion and revolution, and yearning for the highest in us.
YOUNITY tries to touch the great questions of mankind: Where do we come from, why are we living here, and where are we going.
YOUNITY contains more than 30 solo songs, duets and songs for choir – and some
instrumental pieces.
It may be performed together with an orchestra, a band or just a piano.
Jannecke Rasmussen (1955 – 2019) wrote the most of the libretto (conforming to my ideas and wishes).
Some years ago, we made a performance with some of the songs together with primary school students, and none of them had ever done such a thing before. The audience was amazed, astonished and grateful.
YOUNITY has the intention to be a gift to mankind. Neither the less, it has to be organised and financially structured like any other music project. But first of all, it needs to get nourished by the enthusiasm and devotion of those who participate.
There will be need for all kind of people, all kind of talents: managers, singers, stage workers, actors, musicians, costume creators and so on.
Experience from similar projects is not required – but it will help. And any financially support is most welcome, of course.
In the first place I want you to listen to the selected songs, and to take a good look at the description further down.
If you are interested – please get in touch for a conversation and more details around the project.
– With love, Rupert Derben
SCRIPT
PART 1 : fiction
1. Ever since the beginning of time
It is dark on stage when the music starts to play. Limelight reveals a single woman (soprano). “Let us see if we can find the thread of human mystery, it has been so deeply, it is very hard to see” she sings, and thereby leading us to
2. The spark of life
The singer continues to describe the creation of galaxies, stars and the earth, while it is getting lighter and lighter. ” Multiplication of new constellations, elliptical orbits of earth have begun!” . The choir is getting visible, and sings
3. Earthquake and fire
The elements are roaring and raging while the earth is getting shaped and created. Fire against water, stormy winds are howling, and
volcanoes are erupting ashes and glowing lava. The drama group may act as elements.
4. Let there be light!
A female and a male singer are gazing at the young and beautiful earth, and are getting attracted. “I made a decision, …., my spirit was grounded, bound to the earth, …” (baritone/soprano or tenor/mezzo- soprano)
Listen to “Let there be light” below:
PART 2: Stories
The story of man I
This part is the connecting link between the different parts, and will appear
several times (with different words and meanings). A couple of male and female
singers are singing, in a monotone, telegraphic-like stile. (Right before, the choir
performs “Soaring”, a kind of requiem without words).
(Halls of) Power
A dictator, a warlord or someone dressed as a business man with a
suitcase/laptop/cell phone – The character tells us about his glorious deeds, his
power and ambitions. He is hailed and admired by his followers. “In halls of
power I stand alone, nobody else can take my throne”. A tenor, accompanied by
other male singers as an echo, sings this part. In between: the choir with lyrics in
Latin!
The slave song
A prisoner lies in a dark hole, and complains about his fate. He starts to sing
reserved and carefully, but gets more and more despaired and angry. “They beat
me and treat me as bad as you see, they have stolen my health and my life”.
Meanwhile, the music goes on just as calm as it started and is only slightly
changing character or expression. (tenor and choir).
Where is Jesus?
When the slave song ends, a young lady (maybe dressed as a hippie from the
Sixties ?) is entering the stage. She sings about all evil and unrighteousness done
to people through the ages. ”Where is Jesus, where is Buddha, where is Allah
now?” she accuses, pointing at the (still visible) prison. (soprano)
.
The story of man II / a short poem
Doomsday polka
A larger group of female singers/actors are appearing, in flattering robes and
with a weird look in their eyes. “Everybody listen, doom is at the door” they are
singing in a bit hysteric and anxious way, while they are moving around on
stage.
The end is very near
When the choir is leaving the stage, a young lady (soprano) stands alone. She
wonders about the doomsday-preachers warning, and comes to the conclusion
that she won’t join them. “But me, I do not trust your writings in the dust”.
Afterwards comes an instrument part, that goes over in
Somewhere out there
This part is a (beautiful, as many people tell me!) duet between a tenor and a
soprano. Two souls are yearning for something out there: “… must be
something to resolve the problems of good and evil in everyone”. (I imagine
they are standing under or in front of a picture that shows the waste cosmos).
The story of man III
Money games
The choir is singing about money, “circling and floating around”, while a drama
(without words) is performed on stage. (This drama may make fun about
peoples love for money, it may give a critical view at business, or something
else that is related with money.)
I conquered the world
Inventing and exploring are some of the abilities of man. 4 male/female singers
have a kind of competition, and are telling about their adventures and glorious
deeds. But the choir is asking “did nobody help you?”
We are the people
The choir is singing about the hardworking and poor people, which fate it is to
support the welfare of others. But “anger is growing, patience is gone, just when
you think your battle is won”. History tells us that it is neither right nor wise to
forget those who suffer.
Revolution
Things have gone too far, and revolution is a fact. “We don’t want to be the mats
outside your door!” The choir is singing this part. (A drama part at this place
could be inspired by for ex. the French revolution)
We had a dream
But what happened after 1789, and 1918, or later, when kings had to abdicate
and democracy won? Why are we still not happy, not satisfied? “ … there is “a
sense of something missing, and emptiness inside”…” This song is a
soprano/alto duet.
The story of man IV
Folks are different
Choir and solo singers are describing different people, as one may see them on
the street, while some actors in different costumes are walking/acting on stage.
“Some people whistle and sing all the time, some people meet you with riddle
and rime”.
Metropolitan
About 50% of all humans are living in cities, but many of them are feeling
lonely. Individualism is very common in our days, but who may help those who
are getting lost between “the giant blocks of glass and steel”? (Performed by
choir and soprano)
Prayer
“Heavenly father, where is my home, why I have to be all alone” A kind of
evening prayer of a lonely human (mezzo-soprano), while the night falls. But
not so alone: with the next song is arriving a visitor…
I hope you will come today
A baritone sings this (happy!) song, and he invites the lonely soul to join him:”
If you want to be free from your troubles and fears, just come to us , we’ll wipe
out your tears”. He makes different kind of offers: “ love and compassion,
therapy groups, yogis, crystals, and books, the very best…”
The story of man V
When the hunt begins
It`s something special when a crowd is gathering, it may be in war or at more
peacefully occasions. It may be compared with a fox hunt: amazing and
thrilling, but also frightening for those who stand aside.” We are moving like a
tsunami…when the hunt begins the heart, the heart beats faster.” (Performed by
choir).
Tundra
Through history, many have been slain, persuaded and also tortured. While this
instrumental piece is performed, a row of victims will pass by, silently, wearing
clothes or something else that will show who they are.
Is there a heart in you
Young men/women are teasing/ mobbing an individual of those that just had
passed, and the singer is asking them “ is there a heart in you”, accusing them
for their cruelty. (tenor)
Listen to “Somewhere out there” below. Written by Rupert Derben. Recorded with Pavel Smid (keys) and Rupert Derben (barritone)
PART 3: visions
27. The story of man VI: Human values
28. Soaring
This melody is performed by the choir, without lyrics. A man/woman perform the text in spoken form: different passages from religious and other books, that is giving mankind rules for living together in peace.
29. In search for duty
A man (baritone or tenor) is singing this song. “…he must search inside (for the treasure that he has lost) ….(then) the goal of his life is to live like a song.”
30. Dharma
The hindu word “Dharma” has different meanings, but one of its meanings is the right way of living, a way that benefits all and everyone. “We have strength and courage for the challenges we meet, but our weapons will be gentle, sweet and kind” …Let love and peace rule our ways, every word, every deed…” sings the choir. In its meaning this is the very essence of non-violence.
31. Younity (chaotic)
After a short dialog/drama the choir starts to sing this song. In the beginning harmonic and nice, then more and more chaotic, it will thereby show the desolate situation for mankind in the world of today. The song stops as one or two singers are screaming out loud, and a discussion starts between several people:
“How can we make a better world”.
32. Row/Younity
One singer starts to sing this song, as he/she tries to give an answer/ a solution to the questions made in the former song/discussion. The song will involve more and more of the singers, and they are ending up with singing “Younity”, this time harmonic and complete.
33. Epilogue
The singer from the first song is alone on stage. She is using the same melody as in the first song (but only one verse) and comes to the conclusion that the very essence of life is love.
And love is also the last word in “Younity”.