What comes to mind when thinking of the Allgäu? Large natural landscapes and tradition would be the simple answer. But what does that actually mean? How should we understand the term “tradition,” and how old must habits and customs be to qualify as traditional?
Grading: 3-4 / 4
Duration: 9'00 min
Year: 2024
Depending on the source, the definition of tradition requires only that one generation establishes something and the next adopts it. When speaking of tradition, we rarely refer to something ancient—instead, we often simply mean: “Our parents did it the same way.”
Regarding natural landscapes, we mostly think of the vast meadows of the Allgäu, which have been traditionally used for agriculture. This has become so normalized that we perceive these otherwise barren fields as beautifully idyllic. Then there are the cows—estimated to number over 200,000 in the Allgäu. And yet, one might ask: Where are they all? While wandering through the countryside, they don’t seem so numerous. Perhaps it’s because we go to great lengths to uphold the illusion of tradition and rural charm. The fact that industrial farming has become the reality for many dairy farmers worldwide is something we prefer to ignore. We escape reality—off into the picturesque Allgäu.
This piece aims to do the same. It tells the story of Käte’s last day—an old cow who has long since adapted to life in the barn. Her existence isn’t particularly happy, yet not unhappy either. As is often the case with living beings: if we don’t know something better, we don’t usually miss it. Käte wakes up absentmindedly on this day. Her fellow cows low softly—it is all as usual, just as tradition dictates. Without any particular concern, almost indifferent, she walks to the daily milking. The rhythmic suction of the machine is one of the more eventful parts of her day, yet today it lulls her into a daze, and she begins to dream.
A very special dream—almost a vision: of vast green landscapes, forests, and pastures; of cows that roam freely; of warm sunlight on her skin. When she awakens from her trance, a wave of reality hits her. Since her last calf was taken away some time ago, she hasn’t felt such intense emotions. What Käte doesn’t know is that her last birth has already passed. She is now too old, barely producing any milk. Her sole justification for existence is gone.
One could look at it optimistically—what remains of her journey will be deeply emotional.
Awarded 1st Prize in the 1st Young Composers’ Competition held by the Allgäu-Swabian Music Association.
1 – PICCOLO
1 – FLUTE 1
1 – FLUTE 2
1 – OBOE
1 – BASSOON
3 – CLARINETS I (B)
3 – CLARINETS II (B)
4 – CLARINETS III (B)
1 – BASS CLARINET
1 – ALTO SAXOPHONE 1
1 – ALTO SAXOPHONE 2
1 – TENOR SAXOPHONE
1 – BARITONE SAXOPHONE
1 – HORN 1 (F)
1 – HORN 2 (F)
1 – HORN 3 (F)
2 – FLUGELHORNS I
2 – FLUGELHORNS II
1 – TRUMPET 1 (B)
1 – TRUMPET 2 (B)
1 – TRUMPET 3 (B)
1 – TROMBONE 1
1 – TROMBONE 2
1 – BASS TROMBONE
1 – EUPHONIUM 1
1 – EUPHONIUM 2
1 – BASS TUBA 1
1 – CONTRABASS TUBA 2
1 – DOUBLE BASS
1 – TIMPANI
3 – PERCUSSION*
1 – PIANO
*Small, Medium and Large Suspended Cymbal, Tam-tam, 5 Triangles, Bass Drum, Bell Tree, Mark Tree, Tubular Bells (Db4 and Bb4) Glockenspiel, Vibraphone, Marimba
Coming soon to the ASM Sheet Music Store.
Full Set (PDF): 119 €