I started listening and just thinking about Julian and his talent, but soon into the song my thoughts went instead to Anne Frank and her family and to all those caught in that loathsome war. You hear about music being transporting; this truly is. Some of Julian's own family members, two great aunts and an uncle, many cousins and his great-great grandmother died in the death camps. This makes his composition all the more compelling and triumphant.
This is amazing. The words bring things down to a child's perspective. And I think many of us who read Anne Frank forget that she was a girl and probably did want nothing more on some days than to go outside and ride her bike.
Actually, the song is written for Anne, her sister and her father and each of their desires (ride a bike again, dance, go to the sea shore) were apparently specifically referenced in the diary. Julian has a well-read copy of the diary that is tabbed with all sorts of post-it notes and he is trying to make the songs as true to the diary as he can.
Very interesting stuff -- Marissa and I were at the SF Symphony tonight and I noticed in Michael Tilson Thomas' bio that he wrote a piece (many years ago now) inspired by Anne Frank (Julian's in good company!)...
This latest piece from Julian is masterful and poignant. The music is exquisite. The choice of instruments is well-thought: piano, glockenspiel, tremolo violins, and just the right amount of French horn. What impressed me most was the complexity and tight harmonies of the vocal arrangement! His theatrical experience is evident. The research he did from the Diary make the lyrics ring true, but more than that, I felt the passion from the vocalists. What a beautiful tribute to not only the legacy of Anne Frank, but also to the countless others who suffered the atrocities of that horrible war. When will the next piece be ready?
Comments
Some of Julian's own family members, two great aunts and an uncle, many cousins and his great-great grandmother died in the death camps. This makes his composition all the more compelling and triumphant.
This latest piece from Julian is masterful and poignant. The music is exquisite. The choice of instruments is well-thought: piano, glockenspiel, tremolo violins, and just the right amount of French horn. What impressed me most was the complexity and tight harmonies of the vocal arrangement! His theatrical experience is evident. The research he did from the Diary make the lyrics ring true, but more than that, I felt the passion from the vocalists. What a beautiful tribute to not only the legacy of Anne Frank, but also to the countless others who suffered the atrocities of that horrible war. When will the next piece be ready?