Josse De Pauw, Collegium Vocale Gent . Muziektheater Transparant

Following a successful five-year world tour, audiences can once again experience 'Ruhe' in deSingel, now for the last time. It is a thrilling scenic song recital that is rudely interrupted by people wanting to talk about their voluntary affiliation to the SS in 1940. Their motive then, like that of the singers now, was a quest for harmony. During the sixties, the Dutch artists Armando and Hans Sleutelaar talked to people who belonged to the SS during the Second World War. They transcribed the tapes of their recorded interviews and deleted the questions. The result is a number of monologues by people trying to explain how they thought, what they felt and why their lives took that particular turn. Haunted by their past, they are clearly unable to find a measure of peace and harmony. Schubert's song 'Ruhe, schönstes Glück der Erde' was not only the inspiration for the title but also for Annelies Van Parys' new work. Her music harmonizes wonderfully with David Claerbout's images. ''Ruhe' is a performance of unusual beauty. Simple, clear and emotional' said Knack after the premiere in 2007.