Opera ‘Myüno de Gascogne’

Cantata ‘Clamor Mundi’

Piano Concerto for the Left Hand

Concerto for Piano & band ’destination West’

Piano Concerto ‘Imagine New york’

Concerto for Alto Saxophone ‘Springtime in Chicago’

Oratorio ‘Requiem for the Fallen’

Melody ‘Come Ye Who Love’ for Soprano, piano & Horn

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These works convey hope, kindness and self-confidence

Decades ago, as I rode my bicycle through the crosses of Flanders’ World War One cemeteries, I was thinking of the poem ‘In Flanders Fields’ written in WWI by the Canadian military Doctor, John McCrae

Much later, having lived as a child through the Cold War, I understood the anguish of my parents and their need for hope. Eventually, several decades later, I composed the vast oratorio “Requiem for the Fallen” for soprano, choir and orchestra based on ‘In Flanders Fields’, as a tribute to the victims of wars and violence.

The first version of “Requiem” was played in 2018 in a French town for the Centennial of WWI. Most players of the youth orchestra had a relative who fought in the war. . *** In 2019, the revised version of “Requiem for the Fallen” premiered in New York at Carnegie Hall (Zankel Hall) and was attended by the Consul of Belgium. Two performances followed in Moscow: in 2020, the U.S. Embassy underwrote a concert in commemoration of the cooperation in WWII; and, in late 2021, a public concert for peace took place in an Art Gallery downtown Moscow. Afterwards, guests waved ‘heart’ and ‘I love you’ signs to us, watching from Washington

Leaning towards the screen, an Orthodox Bishop pointed to the golden cross on his chest and said that the Oratorio was ‘Music for Peace’ and I repeated ‘Yes, for peace.’ Clearly, the Russian public was opposed to war but, ten weeks later, the invasion of Ukraine had begun. A war now in its fifth year, that cost over a million lives.

“Imagine New York”, the first piano concerto, premiered at the 2021 concert for peace. The Concerto evokes memories of the view of the Statue of Liberty, the first time I landed in New York City. . *** More recently, I composed the forceful piano concerto for the left hand about respect in the face of adversity. The left-hand piano concerto evokes sharply contrasting images of strength, meditation, and peace overtaking violence.

Then, as a reflection and as a sequel to “Requiem for the Fallen”, I composed “Clamor Mundi” a cantata for soprano tenor, choir and orchestra on texts about respect by Amerindians and West European poets. . *** As a pause for reflection on the need for simplicity, humility and mutual respect here is a fable from Persia that appeared in Europe in the 18th century: . A HAPPY MAN’S SHIRT Once upon a time, lived a son of the great king Haroun Al Rashid, who was not happy. He went on to consult an old derviche. The old man told him that happiness was hard to find in the world. “However, he added, I know a foolproof way to get it.” — What is it? asked the prince. — It is, replied the wise man, to wear the shirt of a happy man. Marveling at finding hat the cure to his ailment was so simple, the prince kissed the old man’s hands, covered him with gifts, and off he went in search of happiness. He visited all the kingdoms of the Earth, tried on shirts of kings, of princes, of ministers, as lavishly ornated with gold thread as his: it did not make him any happier. Then he tried shirts of generals, scientists, artists and merchants, but to no avail.

Finally, saddened to have tried so many shirts, he went back to the castle of his father, when he saw, on the side of the road, a farmer happily pushing a hoe and tilling the ground. The birds were singing around him, he was whistling, and so much so that one could not tell who was in the sky from who was laboring in the field. “But there is a man who found happiness”, exclaimed the prince. — Are you happy? — Yes. — You do not want anything? — No. — You would not give up your hoe for the kingdoms of the Earth? — No. — Then, sell me your shirt. — My shirt? I have none. . ***

Videos of the Oratorio “Requiem for the Fallen”, the Piano Concerto "Imagine New York” and other works are posted under VIDEOS. Since 2023, pandemic and wars have prevented additional events.

In Flanders Fields

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our places; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders Fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
in Flanders Fields.

by: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae
MD (1872 – 1918)
Canadian Army