Roundtree Music

The four movements of “Quintet No. 2 in A Minor” are a tribute to my friend Dieter Meng (1940-2023). He directed the church brass choir (Posaunenchor) in Rötenberg for over 50 years and still played actively to the end of his life.

The first movement, with its single-minded ostinato, depicts Dieter’s Devotion to his Christian faith and to leading musicians. Chaotic 16^th note runs interrupt the flow, just as two great tragedies interrupted Dieter’s life, after which the Devotion theme resumes.

The second movement is a Procession that juxtaposes sorrow and joy present in saying farewell to a loved one. We feel sorrow that he is no longer with us, but we also feel joy as we reflect on a life well lived in service to God, his family, and his church community.

The third movement recalls a deeply moving moment I experienced during a funeral as the pastor stood over the casket as it was lowered into the ground. With full conviction and a voice that echoed through the cemetery, he sang out the 900-year-old German hymn Christ ist erstanden (Christ is Risen). His Proclamation of faith and comfort in the face of death is a moment I will never forget.

The final movement is a fanfare of Celebration inspired by the final verse of Christ ist erstanden, which is translated,

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

We should all be joyful at this,

Christ wants to be our comfort.

Lord have mercy.

Ben Roundtree, March 2024