Hathor Suite

The Hathor Suite for soprano, baritone, mixed chorus and ensemble (cor anglais, flute, harp and percussion) is Bergman's most colourful works. The first movement is to the goddess' power and glory. In the second movement the glissandos and changing vowel-sounds of the chorus wind around a harp ostinato. The ecstatic third movement is based on an ostinato rhythm. In the fourth movement the vibraphone and female chorus have a chord which gradually expands to include all twelve chromatic notes. The fifth movement celebrates the goddess as ‘a lady of the dance, mistress of the music'. Text: Siegfried Schott after ancient Egyptian texts (German), duration 18 minutes.