The Candomblé cult combines a fascinating archetypal world of gods with percussion rhythms and choral singing (Koro) in a unique way. KORO places the songs (Cantigas) of the Afro-Brazilian religion in a new harmonic and tonal context.
Samples of the call and response chants are at the center of the compositions, which allow the listener to experience the spirituality of Candomblé in a musical performance supported by visuals.
In many (natural) religions, music is seen as a means of establishing a connection to the otherworldly, to the divine. Koro focuses on the connection between musical structures and spiritual action patterns of Candomblé in order to develop a deeper understanding of musical performance within an expanded concept of music. The expansion consists of the interplay of artificially represented religious rituals, improvised sound art and conventional composition techniques and offers participants and recipients of the performance an interactive approach to understanding Brazilian culture.
The music of the Candomblé unfolds its psychological effect within a liturgical setting in connection with a long-term initiation process that leads to the devout Filhas de SantoFilhas de Santo (holy daughters) dance themselves into a trance to the rhythms of the Atabaque drums, similar to the voodoo cult, and ultimately become the medium of the Orixá gods. In polytheistic Candomblé, the orixás are part of a family. They fulfill certain tasks such as mediating between the realm of the living and that of the dead, healing illnesses or protecting cab drivers. Their connection to earthly elements
is linked to their sometimes ambivalent character traits, which are passed down through lendas (legends). For example, Oxossi, the orixá of the forest, was held captive in the forest for a time by Ossaim, the goddess of medicinal plants, through her love and learned many secrets of nature from her.
from her many secrets of nature, which in Candomblé are symbolized by leaves. Oxossi is both a cunning hunter on the hunt for positive energy (axé), but he also stands for coziness and creativity.
