Popol Vuh: Herzog’s Aguirre and the Wrath of God

Werner Herzog’s Aguirre, the Wrath of God is a troubling tale of delusion and failure. The film tells the story of Spanish conquistadors traveling down the Amazon River in search of riches and power. Klaus Kinski offers a powerful performance as he embodies – and subjects himself to – the wrath of god (his megalomanic yet pathetic character acts as the driving force of an expedition that drifts away towards self-destruction).

I am inclined to argue that the end of Aguirre stands as one of the most stunning moments in film history. Central to the final scene is the music of Popul Vuh, which also opens the film. “Aguirre I” provides an eerie soundscape dominated by choir organs and analog synth textures. It sets the tone for the film and foretells the tragic destiny that awaits the members of the expedition.

AGUIRRE – I

Although Popol Vuh’s Aguirre is considered a soundtrack album, it only came out in 1975 and contains material that was recorded after the film’s initial release. The song “Vergegenwaertigung” does not appear in the film but it certainly has its place on this album.

“Vergegenwaertigung” appears on early vinyl versions and reveals more of Florian Fricke’s early electronic explorations (nearly seventeen minutes of oscillating frequencies, distant drones and occasional sound fragments).  On this solo piece, Fricke sets in motion a slow-moving vortex that constantly threatens to pull the listener inward toward an agonizing and impending end.

Go there.

VERGEGENWAERTIGUNG

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There is a considerable amount of confusion about this album. Some clarifications are available here and below.

(…) Aguirre (1975) featured some of the music from Werner Herzog’s film of the same name. Herzog and Fricke were long term friends from Fricke’s days as a film reviewer. This was a strange release, as it compiled recent alternative studio takes with the original music for the film. The long piece “Vergegenwaertigung” was a solo Fricke electronic number, a throw-back to the first two Popol Vuh albums, probably recorded in late 1972. Also “Aguirre I” was recorded before Fricke discarded the moogs and mellotrons. This was a majestic and floating large scale track. “Morgengruss II”, “Agnus Dei” and the guitar part of “Aguirre II” were probably recorded in May 1974 at the sessions for the forthcoming album Einsjäger & Siebenjäger and were fine examples of Fichelscher’s brilliant guitar work. The album was originally only released in France and Italy. To add even more to the confusion, the German re-release on Pop-Import 1982 had three later Popol Vuh tracks (…) replacing “Vergegenwaertigung”. This is not mentioned on the cover nor the label. Either it was a mistake or an illegal replacement due to the loss of master tapes. (…) – Dag Erik Asbjornsen’s Cosmic Dreams At Play

Personnel:
Florian Fricke – piano, spinett, mellotron (or choir organ)
Daniel Fichelscher – electric guitar, acoustic guitar, drums, percussions
Djong Yun – vocals

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