Sven van Calster

Inferno

On 25th May 2011 a huge fire broke out in the Kalmthoutse Heath nature reserve north of Antwerp. Within a very short time more than 600 hectares of heath land went up in flames. The effect on the surrounding environment was huge. The fire left deepscars affecting the residents, those responsible for heath land, and also the members of the fire brigade who for several days risked their lives to fight the fire. The composition Inferno begins majestically and on a huge scale, exactly as theKalmthoutse Heath is. Soon a theme is introduced into the work in which the magnificent beauty of nature can be heard. We then hear the fires on the heath set to music. Even thefire helicopter can be heard, together with the first discussions thattook place after the alarm was raised with the Kalmthoutse fire brigade. One fact remains at the centre of this work, however: the natural beauty and splendour of the heath landscape. This is expressed at the start of the work in a theme that recursthroughout the piece. Towards the end it is finally replaced by a peaceful conclusion, representing the hope for a speedy regeneration of this wonderful nature reserve. Download here the audio file for this book.