Imagasy

Thiemo Kraas is one of the most interesting and talented German composers of the youngest generation. Since April 2007 he has been a scholarship holder of the "Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes".

"Imagasy" is a neologism (new word) composed of the English terms "imagination" and "fantasy". Based on the Bible quotation "In the Beginning Was the Word", "Imagasy" is intended to make it clear to the listener that the origin of all creativity lies in imagination and illusion. Kraas himself writes about his composition:

"Imagination is certainly one of the most beautiful gifts given to us. It is up to us to give it the opportunity to unfold or to perish in the rationality of today's world." Kraas does not see in reason and fantasy an indissoluble contrast, but only two aspects of human existence that belong together.

Kraas received the inspiration for his composition through the observation of a small child, who, completely lost in the depths of his imagination, entered a dream world. "With his boundless imagination, it painted me a story," he describes this experience.

Kraas' tonal language is extremely emotional and sonorous. Although he does not deny his compositional models, he tries to bring his almost overflowing musical ideas into a form ordered by musical logic. His sense of sound and the instrumental versatility with which he implements his ideas of sound are captivating. Wonderful solos stand next to large sound surfaces, which are often developed from the tenor and bass registers rich in overtones. Filigree delicacy contrasts with voluminous passages, a lively Leggiero is heightened into a broadly dimensioned pathos.

Kraas' music also has a high entertainment value for the audience and can additionally encourage the performers to push their design intentions to the limits that are not necessarily common in brass music. Remarkable in this context is the fact that the important Potsdam painter Christian Heinze was inspired by this composition to create his beautiful delicate picture, which adorns the front page of the sheet music.