“The title track is a four-part suite and nothing short of a masterpiece… Each of the four movements has a unique personality, drama, and subtle beauty that approaches an altered musical realm without overreaching.”
“... the commanding “this is not the answer.”, where [Saulnier] builds a soundworld larger than life by drawing from every possible (and impossible) source of inspiration.”
this is not the answer.
(a symphony in four continuous movements)
i. overture & evolution.
ii. empty promises.
iii. this is not the answer.
iv. the hypocrite & the hope
by kyle saulnier
premiered on 07.14.2010 in Brooklyn, NY
by:
kyle saulnier (conductor)
patrick cornelius, david dejesus, samuel ryder, andrew gutauskas, david richards (reeds)
daniel urness, michael gorham, jonathan powell, philip dizack (trumpets)
benjamin griffin, barbara hamilton, matthew wright, max seigel (trombones)
nathan hetherington, seth fruiterman (voices)
chris dingman, michael macallister, aaron kotler, joshua paris, will clark (rhythm)
Program Notes (by the composer):
This is a piece about America.
This is a piece about the death of empathy.
This is a piece about despair being the defining emotion of my generation.
This is a piece about my parents' generation, the so-called Baby Boomers, being the first since the Dark Ages to leave this world far, far worse than they found it.
This is a piece about the death of American democracy at the hands of an economic structure masquerading as capitalism, but which in reality has been a farce for far longer than anyone will admit, even to themselves.
This is a piece about the American government - and the support systems which uphold it - deliberately and maliciously turning its back on its citizens in favor of the disgusting, petty self-interest of its individual members. This is a piece about the failure of the American democratic experiment.
This is not a piece about a solution. This is not the Answer. This is simply an expression of the truest and deepest outrage.
-ks
i. overture & evolution.
ii. empty promises.
iii. this is not the answer.
iv. the hypocrite & the hope.