[Jim Moonan]

I came across an extraordinary and powerful work by contemporary composer Joel Thompson: The Seven Words Of The Unarmed.

It takes what amounts to found poetry and adds music.
The structure evokes the classical work of Joseph Haydn's "Seven Last Words of Christ on The Cross". It is inspired by the dying words of seven unarmed black victims shot and killed by authority figures:

1. "Why do you have your guns out?" - Kenneth Chamberlain, 66
2. "What are you following for?" - Trayvon Martin, 16
3. "Mom, I'm going to college." - Amadou Diallo, 23
4. "I don't have a gun. Stop shooting." - Michael Brown, 18
5. "You shot me! You shot me!" - Oscar Grant, 22
6. "It's not real." - John Crawford, 22
7. "I can't breathe." - Eric Garner, 43

https://youtu.be/zdNXoqNuLRQ

This doesn’t come from a political place where hidden agendas lurk and facades mask dishonesty. It is something a friend shared with me whose son sings in the chorale performing in this piece. And it’s art.

[John Isbell]

Hi Jim,

Those last words are very moving. The title is powerful too.

John

[Ann Drysdale]

Yes. That's Art. Thank you for sharing this, Jim; I've saved it to keep.

[Jim Moonan]

Thanks for watching and listening, Ann. It’s an important reminder that art arises not just out of beauty but out of tragedy, out of ugliness, out of hatred, too. I’m surprised more here have not taken the opportunity view it. This is the kind of community from which it often comes.

[William A. Baurle]

Sorry I overlooked this, Jim.

I thought a bump was in order.

It has similar motifs and the overall strength of someone as grand as Shostakovich. In fact, the music reminds me of his.

[Jim Moonan]

Just noticed Bill that you had come to this and liked it. Yes I was hoping more would see the raw beauty of life unfolding to become art.

I wasn't familiar with Shostakovich so I took a look (with my ears) and see the quality of sound is similar in some of this:

https://youtu.be/Ki6HXhtB7ug

Thanks for this. Sets the tone for my evening...

[William A. Baurle]

And you've just set the tone for mine.

I want very much to return to the composer Joel Thompson, whom you introduced me to; but allow me a moment to suggest some more Shostakovich.

The first of his symphonies I heard was the 5th, which is sublime, and one of the greatest in symphonic literature. But the second one I heard was the 14th. I bought it because it was music set to several poems by international poets, all of whom you will know.

Please give it a listen. All of the poems are about death. The music is dark but beautiful, though also harsh, clamorous, and occasionally dissonant, as was typical for his period, and especially in the USSR.

I think you'll love this intro first (which I've only just seen - Youtube is being kind to us tonight) by conductor Valery Gergiev - whom I've only just heard of as well - there is too much talent, and not enough TIME!):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4FRT6UVkpg

First 2 parts: Live orchestra & voices:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuK2WS6uPac

[William A. Baurle]

I was too hasty trying to find a live performance of the first two parts. The performance I linked to doesn't quite do justice to the work. It's good, but there are far better interpretations...


This post will be edited.

***

I think what the uploader says may be trustworthy. This sounds good to me, except for the crackle of the phonograph needle:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hfdN_IgWYo&t=137s

***

Part 2 is amazing:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBOVn_YpYBU&

[John Riley]

Thanks for this

[William A. Baurle]

http://music.emory.edu/home/people/g...n-joel%20.html