From Darkness, Hope, for violin/viola, cello/horn, and piano
by John Dickson
$15
Cellist Lynn Harrell asked composer John Dickson to write a piece for the 2012 Holocaust Memorial Day service at Beth Shir Shalom in Santa Monica, California. Beth Shir Shalom (which translates as "House of the Song of Peace") is a progressive Reform synagogue with an emphasis on music and art, and it was there that the piece was first performed on April 20, 2012, by Harrell, his wife, violinist Helen Nightengale, and the composer on piano.
The music reflects the depth of emotion that we all still feel when confronted with the enormity of the Holocaust tragedy, reflected primarily in the vocal nature of the instrumental lines. Never descending completely into despair, in the end there is a quietness and peace.
Hornist Thomas Bacon upon first hearing the piece, was deeply moved by the emotions stirred by the music and asked the composer for permission to perform it on horn, substituting for cello.
It is presented here with two alternate parts provided by the composer: viola as a substitute for violin, and horn as a substitute for cello.
The music reflects the depth of emotion that we all still feel when confronted with the enormity of the Holocaust tragedy, reflected primarily in the vocal nature of the instrumental lines. Never descending completely into despair, in the end there is a quietness and peace.
Hornist Thomas Bacon upon first hearing the piece, was deeply moved by the emotions stirred by the music and asked the composer for permission to perform it on horn, substituting for cello.
It is presented here with two alternate parts provided by the composer: viola as a substitute for violin, and horn as a substitute for cello.
| Click here to play From Darkness, Hope (mp3 file) |