State of the Union for orchestra
State of the Union was composed in 1992 in New Haven, CT. The work was written in response to then-president George Bush’s State of the Union address to Congress in January of that year. In contrast to Mr. Bush’s characterization that all was well with the nation, the three movements of the orchestral suite depict elements of a country in crisis, a domestic crisis which continues through to the present time.
short score/sketch, “Lullaby (for an urban child)”
March of the Politicians contrasts strict march-like rhythms with wild swirls of sound, representative of the incessant arguing and lack of forward motion that still exists in Washington today. Lullaby (for an urban child) is meant to be an uncomfortable lullaby, one which reflects the distress of children growing up in a society rife with violence and abuse. Finally, Revels is a false celebration of our times, where the dance-like music frequently is interrupted by musical ideas from the first two movements.
State of the Union has been recorded by the Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra, Kirk Trevor, conductor. It is available on a 2004 CD of my orchestra music, Wave (innova 612).
This composition may be purchased below or is available on a rental basis from:
The Edwin A. Fleisher Collection of Orchestral Music
The Free Library of Philadelphia
1901 Vine Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103-1116
tel (215) 686-5313
fleisher@freelibrary.org
Slovak Radio building, Bratislava, where “Wave” was recorded, 2003
- Instrumentation:
- 3232/4331/timp+3/hp, pno/stgs
- Date completed:
- 1991-1992
- Duration:
- ca. 10:00
- Audio:
I. March of the Politicians
- Publisher:
- Fleisher Collection (rental agent) [search catalog for "Jeremy Beck"]
Featured Recording
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