MEDIATHEK

Winter's Journey takes as its jumping off point a loose translation of 19th century German poet Wilhelm Muller's Winterreise cycle, which was famously set by Schubert for baritone voice and piano. The poems chronicle the journey of an unnamed traveler who sets off on foot from his village after being spurned by his lover. As the journey progresses his thoughts become more and more inward, exploring the vagaries of human connection, loneliness and finally the nature of existence itself. In contrast to Schubert's setting, Cuomo’s piece is scored for a mezzo-soprano singing in English, plus three onstage musicians: electronics and guitar (performed live by the composer); keyboards; and trumpet.