The simple yet profound phrase “The sun still shines” were the final words of a young German activist, Sophie Scholl, immediately before her execution on 22nd February, 1943. Just 21 years old at the time, Scholl was a student at the University of Munich and co-founded the White Rose, an underground student-led resistance against the Nazis. Through graffitied messages and the distribution of leaflets, the group encouraged fellow Germans to oppose the Nazi rule, condemn the genocide of Jews, and demand an end to World War II. Despite their youthful modesty, their brave stand against the government left a lasting impact.
Although Scholl’s name may not be widely recognised outside of Germany, her extraordinary story has served as the muse for the groundbreaking musical composition, Riot Symphony, created by Belfast composer Conor Mitchell. This innovative work, which includes video snippets and texts from Scholl and the Russian punk activists, Pussy Riot, represents the third joint effort between the longstanding Ulster Orchestra and Mitchell’s emerging Belfast Ensemble. The worldwide debut of the piece will take place in Belfast the following weekend.
In the expansive area of the former Belfast Telegraph printing room in 2021, the joint group executed Mitchell’s Mass, a magnificent theatrical piece that incorporated projected LGBT+ film content from around the globe. Amidst the pandemic in 2020, they concurrently created Democracy Dances, a filmed composition for video and orchestra that examined the so-called umbrella protests in Hong Kong and reacted to the minimalist music written by American composer John Adams.
Mitchell is currently working tirelessly, against the clock, on the laborious task of orchestrating a full-scale symphony – a process he describes as “horrific”. Comparing it to handwriting Shakespeare’s works daily, he explains that the process is time-consuming due to its ‘vertical’ nature, referring to the alignment in which the musical parts are arranged top-down on a score. The piece will also feature vocal music, and he is attempting to incorporate patterns and sequences into the first movement, adding a layer of complexity to the already daunting task.
A new, riveting piece for tenor, soprano, orchestra and video installation will be led by Gabriel Bebeşelea, the esteemed chief conductor of the George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra in Bucharest. This piece is the latest production in Mitchell’s series of politically compelling explorations into contemporary issues through the medium of music. Mitchell began his series in 2012, composing the emotionally powerful ‘Requiem for the Disappeared.’ It was, according to Mitchell, a melodic reflection on an individual’s right to a dignified burial. He explained his desire to create a musical piece as a symbolic burial ritual for those denied one in reality, stating that a composer’s unique way of voicing such concerns lies in constructing music.
In 2019, with ‘Abomination: A DUP Opera’, Mitchell took on the complex topic of homophobia within the Northern Irish politics, particularly addressing the dramatic comments made by former MP Iris Robinson on Stephen Nolan’s BBC Radio Ulster show. The opera was humorously sharp and subversively flamboyant in deconstructing the alarming incident repurposing verbatim. This work was met with massive applause and appreciation both in Northern Ireland and the Southbank Centre in London and the Theatre Royal in Brighton.
His upcoming composition, ‘Riot Symphony’, is described as a musical homage to the spirit and vigour of youthful activism. Mitchell finds the energy and youth of figures like Pussy Riot and Sophie Scholl to be incredibly inspirational. The initial part of the composition is planned to be filled with vibrant and dynamic melodies, reflecting the optimism and the sense of invincibility associated with youth. He reminisces about his own experiences of being 16 and full with the impassioned desire to transform the world.
He draws parallels to Greta Thunberg chaining herself to railings and the university students who protested in Paris in 1968 for their audacious spirit. He talks about the electrifying, fiery energy of such movements that he seeks to encapsulate in his music. Sophie and her accomplices are commended for their scholarly instructions that surfaced during the time. These pamphlets contemplated on the post-war remorse of those who sat silently, thus attempting to inflict guilt. He references how the word ‘guilty’ was echoed repeatedly throughout these publications.
The fascination with protest has always held a special place in my heart. I recall a moment in my creative career when I penned a story centered around the Rosen Street demonstration in Berlin, Germany. It was then that I stumbled upon the intriguing story of Sophie Scholl and the White Rose. This week-long civil resistance was spearheaded by German women who weren’t Jewish but were related to Jewish men who were victims of deportation. Interestingly, their protest led to the Gestapo releasing the men, making it the only German public protest during the war within Germany. Stories like these must gain visibility.
[Farewell notes from Conductor Daniele Rustioni to Ulster Orchestra: ‘The music was a celestial joy’ ]
Musical activism has had few as audacious and bold as Russian music group, Pussy Riot. As a fervent admirer of their work, I reached out to their record label seeking approval to use one of their tracks as an orchestral incorporation. The feedback was immediate and positive.
Soon, we plan to extract the vocals from the sound track and overlay it on our orchestra for a brief interval. While I yearn for one of the band members to grace our concert, I understand how challenging that might be. Their bold actions are praiseworthy. Northern Ireland’s punk music is often a topic of conversation, but in attaining the true punk essence, Pussy Riot leads the pack.
Riot Symphony often refers to the Russian encroachment in Ukraine. Moreover, recent unsettling events include the assassination of Russian dissident Alexei Navalny and the conflict in Gaza. There are moments when an artist needs to quicken their pace to keep abreast with reality, as I’ve found. The Headless Soldier, an opera chamber of mine, put to words by my frequent partner in creativity, playwright Mark Ravenhill, was on display at the 2023 Outburst Queer Arts Festival held in Belfast’s Lyric Theatre. The piece centred on contemporary bigotry, hostility and disharmony, with visuals from the Gaza bombing embedded into the video graphics.
“The continuous suppression of dissenting voices, including those of Navalny and Sophie Scholl, has repeatedly been observed,” notes Mitchell. “Opposing voices emerge only to be subsequently subdued, leaving a void. As of late, I have been intrigued by the uprising that is occurring beneath the surface, with spontaneous riots and demonstrations. Many of these movements are spearheaded by the younger generation who are hitting the streets to vocalise their dissent. This was evident in the umbrella protests and, on a larger scale, in response to George Floyd’s death. Empowered by technology such as laptops and mobile phones, today’s youth are articulating their political ideologies in ways we didn’t.
Riot Symphony, an invigorating, innovative protest art, is reflective of the caliber of work we’ve come to expect from the Belfast Ensemble—it’s truly unique. Mitchell commends the impressive adaptability of the Ulster Orchestra in accepting invitations to participate in these pioneering musical expeditions.
Recalling the staging of Mass, Mitchell debunks concerns about the orchestra’s perceived difficulties. Against all apprehensions— in cold venues with glaring lights, amid a pandemic—the orchestra saw the experience as a thrilling adventure and embraced an entirely new path towards modern musical expression.
Patrick McCarthy, the orchestra’s artistic director, terms these collaborative endeavours as profound and essential. He believes Mitchell’s work has infused a fresh societal awareness into their efforts. Riot Symphony, being a fascinating novel co-commission between the two entities, expects to mark an important night at their home in Ulster Hall.
The world premiere of Riot Symphony, The Sun Still Shines, will take place at Ulster Hall, Belfast, on Friday, 10th May.”