New Composition by Brazilian Composer Antonio Celso Ribeiro – “Syrian Requiem”
Sunday, March 9, 2014
Maybe it’s the beautiful location, or the fantastically curated musical selections, or Artistic Director Narong Prangcharoen’s ability to choose curious, engaging, open and talented composers to the Thailand International Composition Festival. Whatever the reason is, some of my most rewarding collaborations and friendships have resulted from participating in Narong’s annually held celebration of new music. Several of these wonderful relationships have resulted in the commissioning and premiering of an ever increasing collection of outstanding compositions written for me.
I’m thrilled to announce renowned Brazilian composer Antonio Celso Ribeiro has just completed a piece written for me titled “Syrian Requiem” for viola and piano (2014). In the words of the composer, “The piece is a cry for help for all the people suffering with the civil war in Syria, mainly the children. The viola acts like a ghost wandering through the rubble, mud, broken houses and the dead.”
I used to think composers liked to bring their troubles to the viola, but in actuality, the viola affords the composer an opportunity to express deep thoughts in a voice that is perforated, imperfect and vulnerable – human.
Witness the following pieces written for me and their task of expressing the sorrow of modern day events.
1.Narong Prangcharoen’s solo viola piece, “Antahkarana”(2010), which expresses a desire for healing in the current political strife in Thailand.
2.Marta Ptaszynska’s solo viola piece, “Elegia: in memoriam John Paul II” (2005), which articulates the joy of the former Pope’s life, as well as the sorrow of his passing.
Thank you, Antonio Celso Ribeiro, for both writing this deeply moving and cathartic work, as well as bringing attention to the tragedy still unfolding in Syria. Here’s hoping that music not only heals, but persuades individuals to act.
Antonio Celso Ribeiro’s “Syrian Requiem” will be premiered this June while I’m in residence at the UMKC Summer Composition Workshop in Kansas City.