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Work of the Week – Sebastian Hilli: Miracle

Audiences can expect a true revelation at the upcoming world premiere of Sebastian Hilli's orchestral work, Miracle. Hilli’s new work bursts with surprising and unconventional ideas and will be boldly taken under the direction of Ryan Bancroft and the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra as they embark on the composition’s first live performance on February 1st, 2023 at the Konserthuset Stockholm.

In the summer of 2019, Hilli had an idea for something big, unexpected and miraculous which was to become Miracle. As he began composing in the spring of 2020 the world had abruptly changed: the coronavirus pandemic was dominating all aspects of his life as his own relatives tragically became afflicted from this new disease.

The piece begins with a foreboding and intangible threat in an innocent world. It subsequently shows the shock of a catastrophe falling, the resulting grief and emptiness, a longing for love and security, and ultimately, hope. In this way, Hilli creates a timeless reflection on trauma detached from the reality at the time of its creation.

An inner healing process: Miracle by Sebastian Hilli leads from the night to the light 

But the real theme of the piece is the breaking process of its trauma as it features an intangible miracle, a sense of healing, joy, gratitude, and optimism:

Empowerment eventually leads to euphoria. A sense of something greater, something marvellous, uncontrollable and unexplainable. The joy and celebration of life, the dance and ascension.The piece ends in finding peace. In accepting that something has changed permanently, and the trace of it follows. The majestic chords reflect strength and powerlessness in the face of something greater, the same feeling as standing on the edge of a cliff. The brass chorale in the end reflects a connection to the past and the memory that never fades - the memory of love. (Sebastian Hilli)

Miracle has been performed previously during the pandemic but only with a reduced orchestra via live stream and without audience. Now in its original form with full orchestra, the work is now excitingly receiving its world premiere and will be additionally performed for a second time in Stockholm on February 2nd, 2023. 

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photo: Sara Kokko

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