“Blitzschlag” (Lightning Bolt) is the title of the flute concerto James Dillon composed in 1996, a complex work demanding great lung capacity. That alone would be reason enough to invite him as this year’s Composer in Residence. The Scottish composer, born in Glasgow in 1950, is among Britain’s most renowned composers, with works being performed at the major festivals for New Music. His music is complex and highly charged, seemingly poised to explode at any given moment. At the same time, however, it delves into deeper emotional layers and occasionally even incorporates elements of folk music. We are particularly looking forward to the world premiere of his “Lamentations: ”, dedicated to the musicians of Ensemble Proton Bern and Schola Heidelberg, as well as to the innocent people caught between the war machines.