Mohammed Fairouz: Symphony No.4 "In the Shadow of No Towers" (2013)

University of Kansas Wind Ensemble conducted by / Ensamble de Alientos de la Universidad de Kansas dirigido por Paul Popiel.
I. The New Normal / La nueva norma (0:00)
II. Notes from a heartbroken narcissist / Notas de un narcisista con el corazón roto (9:45)
III. One nation under two flags / Una nación bajo dos banderas (17:55)
IV. Anniversaries / Aniversarios (25:20 - 34:31)
Mohammed Fairouz is one of the most frequently played contemporary composers. Aged 30, he has composed in every medium and for every genre. His first major work for wind band was his fourth symphony, which is based upon Art Spiegelman’s cartoon In the Shadow of No Towers, which looks back reflecting on the events of 9/11. The symphony is based upon five stripes of Spiegelman’s book, and its movements provide musical portraits of the chosen images.
Mohammed Fairouz es uno de los compositores contemporáneos con mayor difusión. Teniendo apenas 30 años, ha compuesto para cada medio y para cada género. Su primera obra importante para banda sinfónica ha sido su cuarta sinfonía, la cual está basada sobre la caricatura de Art Spiegelman Sin la sombra de las torres, misma que reflexiona sobre los eventos del 11-9. La sinfonía está basada en cinco tiras del libro de Spiegelman y sus movimientos proveen retratos musicales de las imágenes.
More info/más información/plus d’infos: musicalhistories.blogspot.mx/2...
The composer's and Art Spiegelman’s review (EN only): www.huffingtonpost.com/mohamme...
Image/imagen: American flag over “no title” by Thomas Hoepker / Bandera estadounidense sobre “foto sin título” de Thomas Hoepker. 2001-2015.

[@Badgeman96]

I am currently playing this piece again with the KU Wind Ensemble. In the midst of many pieces that commemorate 9/11, it's interesting to play a piece that focuses on a man's dissapointment towards the political spectacle that people have made out of this horrible tragedy. It's an oustanding piece and I'm very excited to be a part of it

[@pabloklanian7283]

The third movement reminds me some symphony of Charles Ives that shows two different tones played by different parts of the orchestra in the same movement.

[@grahamexeter3399]

Surely the most extraordinary music inspired by 9/11 yet composed, made the more powerful by it's complete lack of unctuous pity. Am I hearing an intentionally hesitant almost-quotation from the Dvorak 9th Symphony Largo in 'One nation under two flags'? There's so much irony on parade here that it wouldn't surprise me. Fantastic piece!

[@maxhollick6178]

so sad I wish this music wasn't so descriptive of such a terrible time in history from Australia God bless america

[@harryandruschak2843]

This is the third of your uploads in memory of 9/11. I had not realized so much had been written. I wonder if any of these will appear on our two local classical music radio stations?