Programme notes:

Tereza Jaďuďová (b. 2001)
Egypt Kemet, Op. 69
Written in 2025

This composition is divided into evenly proportioned sections that mirror the structure of the ancient Egyptian calendar:

Achet (the flooding season),
Peret (the season of growth),
and Shemu (the harvest season).

Each section captures its respective atmosphere: the swelling waters of the Nile and the promise of renewal in Achet; the steady cultivation and quiet flourishing of Peret; and the celebratory, sun-drenched abundance of Shemu. A final section depicts the Epigomenal Days (Heriu renpet) —five additional days outside the main calendar— celebrated as the birthdays of the gods Osiris, Horus, Seth, Isis, and Nephthys.

All of these names—Kemet, the seasons, and the gods—were first transcribed phonetically from hieroglyphs, then translated into Morse code. The rhythmic patterns of this code form the structural basis for each section’s music, creating a direct link between ancient language and modern sound.

The piece was inspired by the composer’s February 2025 journey through Egypt, from Alexandria through Cairo, Giza, Saqqara, Abusir, and onward to Aswan, Thebes, Luxor, the Valley of the Kings, and Abu Simbel— a route that brought ancient history vividly to life in both sound and imagination.

Instrumentation:

picc, 2fl, 2ob, corA, 2cl, bcl, 2bn, cbn, 4hn, 3tpt, 3trbn, tba, timp, 3perc [trl, BD, cyms, t-t, tamb, xyl], hp, pf, str [16vln I, 14vln II, 12vla, 10vc, 8db]