Die Soldaten von Bernd Alois Zimmermann

Bernd Alois Zimmermann's opera "Die Soldaten" is considered a milestone in 20th-century music theater—a monumental work that transcends the boundaries of the genre. Andreas Dorfner's meticulous analysis deciphers the complex structure of this opera, which, despite its monolithic appearance, is marked by a deep rift between two compositional phases.

The genesis of Soldaten spanned almost eight years (1957–1965) with one decisive interruption that fundamentally changed Zimmermann's compositional style: from the structural-serial thinking of the first phase to a pluralistic concept that combines a wide variety of temporal layers and forms of expression.

Dorfner's analysis not only reveals the "legend of the destroyed first draft" as a construct of the composer, but also explores the fascinating relationships between Zimmermann's works. Particularly illuminating is the examination of the "Dialogues," which served as a testing ground for the pluralistic compositional technique of the second phase.

The study impresses with its depth and attention to detail. Dorfner captures both the mathematical and structural aspects of the composition—from meter sequences to layers of time—as well as its philosophical dimension in Zimmermann's concept of the "spherical shape of time."

An indispensable standard work for anyone who wants to gain a comprehensive understanding of Zimmermann's musical thinking and one of the most influential works of musical theater of the postwar period.

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