Symphony No.1 Ringparabel
This symphony was first performed at the Laeiszhalle in Hamburg in September 2012.
The inspiration for this composition was the parable of the ring central to the German author Gotthold Ephraim Lessing’s (1729 -1781) play “Nathan the Wise”. The plot also recalls the novel about the three rings told on the first day of the “Decameron” by Giovanni Boccaccio (1313 -1375).
The three rings symbolise the three main religions – Christianity, Judaism and Islam: all three are placed on the same level, thus avoiding one assuming dominance over the others.
Lessing’s enlightened attitude focuses on the importance of dialogue between different religions, promoting tolerance and rejecting fanaticism. Lessing places tolerance and true humanity at the centre of the world. It is these values that Gloria emphasises in her musical treatment of the subject.
The “Ringparabel” was performed in Hamburg, the Laeiszhalle and Thalia Theater for the Lessing Prize, as well as at the Lütfi Kardar Anadolu Auditorium in Istanbul. A further performance took place in Minsk, where a CD was recorded with the Belarusian State Radio Symphony Orchestra and Choir.