Nicholas Lens, a Belgian composer of contemporary music, is known particularly for his operas. One of his earliest works is the music drama Flamma Flamma - The Fire Requiem, the first part of his triology The Accacha Chronicles (Flamma Flamma / Terra Terra / Amor Aeternus). The fusion of non-European musical cultures and Western classical music has been described as highly unique. Flamma Flamma is conspicuous for its unusual instrumentation - apart from chamber orchestra, mixed choir and six soloists, there are also a Japanese koto, an extensive percussion set-up and three natural voices. The work is a composition beyond all conventions. Unlike almost any other requiem, Flamma Flamma not only deals with grief and pain, but also with the idea that death is a natural part of life. Tribute is paid to the afterlife without glorifying it, the positive aspects of fire - such as light and warmth - are praised and all human emotions in the face of death are addressed ... across all philosophical and even musical boundaries. Flamma Flamma has been used numerous times for the most diverse art events and hundreds of dance and ballet creations around the world. For instance, it was performed live at the opening of the Adelaide Festival with more than 1,000 performers in front of an audience of 30,000 people. After its first release on CD in 1994, Flamma Flamma moved up various international charts and quickly went from being an insiders' tip to a huge success, with even a videoclip showing on MTV and Arte. Tracks such as Sumus Vicinae, Corpus Inimici or the title track Flamma Flamma have even become cult classics and made it to some alternative dance floors from Paris to NY and Tokyo. Flamma Flamma by Nicholas Lens will now be re-released on an elaborately designed double vinyl in gatefold cover to mark the 30th anniversary. The composer himself artistically supervised the re-mastering.
