Pilgrims of Wolfryt

The work Pilgrims of Wolfryt tells the story of the legend Walfridus, also known as Wolfryt He was a resident of the town of Bedum in the Netherlands who was born in the 11th century. Walfridus had an eventful life: he introduced Christianity to Bedum and helped the town build its first legal system, but ultimately his story ended in demise murdered alongside his son at the hands of the Vikings.

The work begins with a motif based on the melody of the state anthem of Groningen. It sounds exuberant and forms the introduction to a theme of reconciliation, inspired by the ‘Walfridus Peace’: a nod to the Peace of God Movement from the Middle Ages. The death knell then appears, followed by a minor theme to remind us of the Groningen state anthem and Walfridus’ clairvoyance: the prediction of his own death at the hands of the Vikings.

After this, medieval music, sounding driven and festive whilst maintaining a conventional rhythm, is played on the snare and tenor drum – the thematic material here is also inspired by the state anthem. It depicts all the changes that Walfridus and his son set out to make and the changes they successfully brought about, namely the introduction of Christianity to Bedum and the town’s acquisition of a legal system. They also started to reinforce the Wolddijk, the levee around Bedum. Furthermore, they even built a bridge over the river De Hunze to ensure that the Sint-Maartenskerk (Martin’s Church) in Groningen was within easier reach.

Then, from the soft minor register, the threat of death returns. We hear the Vikings advance in a slow, stately march, ultimately culminating in a great tragedy: the death of Walfridus and his son Radfridus. Then, after a short silence, the melody returns once again – choral-like and serious in intention.

The legend of Walfridus regales us with various miracles that have taken place above his grave. As a result, Bedum became one of the most popular pilgrimage destinations in the north of the Netherlands. Around the year 1100, the Walfridus Church was built, founded as a pilgrimage church for Saint Walfridus. So as to pay musical homage to the Walfridus Church and Bedum, the grandeur of this initial theme adequately culminates in an impressive finale, with the final bars once again repeating the first notes of the state anthem, but this time, gloriously and with great pride.