Redbad was the King of the Frisians from around 680 to 719. This musical portrait consists of seven connected movements that are closely interwoven thematically. The composer drew inspiration from historical information, as well as from stories, anecdotes, myths, and legends from Redbad’s time. The work begins with a heroic theme that introduces the legendary King of the Frisians, with fragments of this theme recurring throughout.
Through strongly contrasting thematic material, Hell or Heaven reflects Redbad’s refusal to convert to Christianity—according to one anecdote, he feared he wouldn’t be reunited with his forefathers in heaven. Redbad frequently fought the Franks to the south, led by Pepin of Herstal, the Duke of the Franks. Due to Pepin’s three nicknames, “the Younger,” “the Middle,” and “the Fat,” this Frankish warlord is musically represented by solos from the three trombone players. After Pepin’s death in 714, expressed in Elegy 1, a civil war broke out. Redbad went to battle once more and achieved many victories in Ad Arma—to arms! However, he was unable to carry out his plans to attack the Kingdom of the Franks again. In 719, the King of the Frisians died of a serious illness. Elegy 2 transforms into a majestic finale, mirroring the grandeur of Magna Frisia, the Frisian kingdom of that era, which stretched along the coast from Northern Germany to Bruges.
