“THE BELLS OF HOPE”

. Ending Wars and Saving the Environment

Wars are divisive, but the commonality of purpose in protecting the environment has the potential to unify humanity. . *** The wartime poem ‘In Flanders Fields’ was written at the battlefront during WWI. Many decades later, as a teenager, I read the poem by John McCrae, and biked through the crosses of Flanders Fields.

Years later, I composed the Oratorio ‘Requiem for the Fallen’ for soprano, choir and orchestra, as a tribute to the Fallen and the victims of all wars, and also as a reflection on the reasons for war in the first place. I chose ‘In Flanders Fields’ for the main lyrics; I had been struck by the verses: “To you … we throw the torch; if ye break faith with us who die we shall not sleep”. Freedom is not free.

The original version of the Oratorio was played in 2018 in France for the centennial of WWI. The expanded version of ‘Requiem for the Fallen’ premiered in October 2019 at Carnegie Hall, New York, with the Consul of Belgium in attendance. Additional performances took place in Moscow: in 2020, with American Embassy support to commemorate the alliance in WWII, and in late 2021, as a concert for peace, two months before the invasion of Ukraine.

The 2021 event opened with the Concerto for piano and orchestra ‘Imagine New York’ Op. 39 evoking freedom and the Statue of Liberty. The Oratorio was played in the second part of the concert. Afterwards, audience guests, including a Bishop, commented over Zoom. They made “heart” and “I love you” signs with their hands, and the Bishop, pointing to the cross on his chest, recognized the Oratorio ‘Requiem for the Fallen’ as “Music for Peace”. The public was hoping for peace. Instead, ten weeks later, they witnessed the war of invasion of Ukraine.

Reflecting on this fleeting moment of hope for peace, I composed the joyful Concerto for Alto Saxophone and Strings ‘Springtime in Chicago’ Op. 61 about optimism with the option of solo jazz improv; the Piano Toccata ‘Resolve and Pride’ Op. 62 about strength and determination; and the Cantata ‘The Bells of Hope’ Op. 63 for soprano, choir and orchestra about mutual respect, on Native American poetry and a christian prayer. . *** While wars spiral down in ever greater violence, focusing instead on the protection of the environment offers an opportunity to work towards a constructive common goal. The programmatic Concerto Grosso ‘The Chant of the Last Forest’ Op. 64 for unconventional percussion section, percussive & melodic left hand piano, and traditional orchestra, invites reflection on the treasure that is our forests, wildlife and Nature - a treasure to preserve for mankind.

Here are the words pronounced decades ago by Native American Chief Seattle:

“We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors, . we borrow it from our children.” . *** Art and music can unite people and foster peace: the Oratorio, the Alto Saxophone Concerto, the Cantata, the Piano Concerto, the Piano Toccata are calls for peace and understanding. . *** Videos of the Oratorio ‘Requiem for the Fallen’ and the Piano Concerto ‘Imagine New York’ are posted in the ‘Videos' section. Since 2023, pandemic and wars have curtailed 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