commentary to op 5c

"De profundis" for Alto and Woodwind, op. 5c (1952)

Instrumentation: 2 Oboe (1 Cor anglais), 2 Basson

Première: oktober 27, 1952, Freiburg, Münster
Helmtrude Kraft / Bläser der Städtischen Bühnen Freiburg

Duration: 5 Minutes

Publisher: Manuscript

This "De profundis" in almost original form was integrated by Hummel into the text "Unum corpus" as part of the Oratorio "The Shrine of the Martyrs" (see no. 23).

De profundis (from Psalm 129)
De profundis clamavi ad te, domine, exaudi vocem meam.
Fiant aures tuae intendentes in vocem deprecationis meae.
Si iniquitates observaveris, domine, quis sustinebit?

English translation:
From the deep I cry to you, Lord, to you; hear, oh Lord, my voice. May your ear be attentive to the voice of my prayer. If you should take note of sin, Lord, who could stand?

Press

Badische Zeitung, 31st November, 1952
Definitely the most daring and most extreme example in these sequences of works was a "De profundis" for Alto and Woodwind, plumbing the depths of its staggering text with arioso verve and exploiting it with uncompromising rigour. The première was entrusted to Helmtrude Kraft from the Städtische Bühnen (Freiburg), who mastered the difficult task with great empathy and musicality.