The project is formed by the following people:
Alex Wende – composer, producer
Hennig Westland and Jäcki Reznicek – musicians
Thomas Pflanz – author of the Latin lyrics;
Diana Lasch, Kira Primke, Lawrence Sihlabeni, Maggie Reilly and Tom Cunningham - session soloists
The "Carl Maria von Weber" choir on the albums Mystic. Spirit. Voices. and Chapter 2
and Chor Der Deutschen Oper Berlin ("Choir of the German Opera, Berlin") on the album Times.
Lesiëm released its debut album, Mystic, Spirit, Voices, in 2000. The songs Fundamentum and Indalo (recorded with Lawrence Sihlabeni) were taken in rotation of German radio stations and were later released as singles in January and June of 2000. Soon after this, the album was re-released in more than 50 countries all around the world. When the album was released in the United States in 2002, it climbed to no. 7 on the U.S.
Lesiëm’s second album, Chapter 2, was released in 2001 in Europe, Initially, a limited pre-edition was released in March of 2001, followed a month later by the official release, with all tracks re-arranged. In some countries the first, limited, edition was released as official. The album was release in the U.S.A. in 2003 under the title Illumination.
The ethnic theme (which first appeared in Indalo from "Mystic. Spirit. Voices") was continued in the track Africa (released as a single in March 2001). The vocals on this track are performed by Lawrence Sihlabeni. During creation of "Chapter 2" the musicians used ethnic musical instruments, for example the doudouk (in the track Aureus) and the great highland bagpipe (for the track Britannia) and operatic parts (e.g. Susanne Kirchbaum's soprano part in "Aureus"). However, there were no hits like Fundamentum in this album.
The first two albums were a sort of prelude for the pop-opera Times, which was Lesiëm’s 3rd album (released as Auracle in U.S.A. in 2004). The musicians started their work in March 2002 and finished it in the end of July. The single Caritas (feat. Maggie Reilly and Chor der Deutschen Oper Berlin) was presented in December 2002 on the philanthropic TV-show of Jose Carreras “Carreras Gala”.
In 2001, Lesiëm presented a huge show with lasers and pyrotechnics, called "Leipziger Feuerzauber". It took place at the Völkerschlachtdenkmal near Leipzig. More than 200,000 people visited it; a few millions of Germans watched it on the TV.
Pater Patriae
Lesiëm Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pater a filio defenditur
O pater familias
Patriarcha
Mater patriae
Matri a filio parebatur
O mater familias
Matriarcha
The lyrics of Lesiëm's song Pater Patriae are in Latin, and they seem to acknowledge the roles of both the father and mother figures in the family and society. The song speaks of the father, Pater Patriae, who is defended by his son and is also referred to as Pater Familias and Patriarcha. In ancient Rome, Pater Familias was the head of the household, responsible for the well-being of his family and slaves. Patriarcha, on the other hand, is a term used to describe a man who is the founder or ruler of a family or tribe.
The second part of the lyrics talks about Mater Patriae, the mother of the fatherland, who is obeyed by her son and is also referred to as Mater Familias and Matriarcha. Mater Familias was the title given to the female head of the family, responsible for managing the household and overseeing the upbringing of the children. Matriarcha, similarly to Patriarcha, signifies a woman who is the founder or ruler of a family or tribe.
Overall, the song seems to be paying tribute to the roles and responsibilities of both paternal and maternal figures in the family and society, emphasizing the importance of these figures in shaping and maintaining a stable and functioning community.
Line by Line Meaning
Pater patriae
The father of the country, symbolizes a national figurehead who provides guidance and protection to his people.
Pater a filio defenditur
The father is defended by his son, highlighting the importance of family loyalty and protection.
O pater familias
Oh father of the family, recognizing the patriarch's important role in household hierarchy and decision-making.
Patriarcha
The patriarch, the male head of a family or society who holds dominant authority.
Mater patriae
The mother of the country, a female symbol of nurturing and protection for her people.
Matri a filio parebatur
The mother is obeyed by her son, highlighting the importance of familial respect and obedience.
O mater familias
Oh mother of the family, highlighting the important role of women in maintaining the family unit and passing down traditions.
Matriarcha
The matriarch, the female head of a family or society who holds dominant authority.
Contributed by Mateo Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.