In enTmenschT, Danish composer Line Tjørnhøj intricately weaves together the stories of two ill-fated couples to delve into the mysterious nature of the true self. Against the backdrop of the early 20th century and the tumultuous devastation of two world wars, this haunting and virtuosic song cycle reveals unexpected and thought-provoking insights into the human condition. Tjørnhøj’s masterful work is a testament to her compositional prowess and unwavering dedication to exploring the intricate depths of the human experience in our modern age.

Line Tjørnhøj (b. 1960) has made her mark as a composer who often deals with painful and cruel subjects in powerful vocal works.

“I have worked with the full spectrum of the human voice ever since I started writing music, and the scream is completely essential to me. It is my leitmotif,” Line Tjørnhøj explains.

enTmenschT was nominated for the Nordic Council Music Prize 2022. The Danish adjudication committee wrote in their motivation: “enTmenschT is a touching and shocking musical work whose themes and expressions are frightfully relevant at this time.”

The libretto is based on the stories of four people from the early 20th century, their unusual and inhumane actions and destinies: Charlotte Salomon, Alfred Solfsohn , Oskar Kokoschka and Alma Mahler. Tjørnhøj draws them into our present times, to address current challenges through the filter of history.

Universal and painful aspects of human existence are explored through virtuoso explorations of the voice, its possiblities, limits and connectedness.

enTmenschT was created in close collaboration with conductor Paul Hillier and the singers in the Grammy-winning ensemble Theatre of Voices, who sing, groan, hiss, whisper and scream out the inhumanity.