Oliver Waespi

Traversada

The crossing of a mountain pass is called traversada in Romansh. Such a crossing bears uncertainties and dangers, but also hope and new opportunities. Whoever sets out for a traversada is leaving behind what's familiar in the quest for new places and people. The piece Traversada, based on a Romansh song about farewell and uncertain reunion, musically depics such a journey. At the offset, off-stage soloists introduce fragments of the melody after which a dramatic narrative unfolds. An intense musical shift leads to a calm section, featuring the original melody in pulsating, muted sound colours. Towards the end, the whole structure is gradually rebuilt andleads to an exuberant ending, where the vibrant melodic motifs reemerge.