Electronic
the Facts they deserve to know
2010/8’
the Facts they deserve to know is a setting of selected texts from President John F. Kennedy’s address to the American Newspaper Publishers Association entitled “The President and the Press.” The press conference took place at the Waldoff-Astoria Hotel in New York City on April 27, 1961. I have always been intrigued by the late President, both as an iconic role model and a controversial leader of great strength and character. Many historians, as well as some conspiracy theorists, attest that this speech was the first step in the chain of events leading to the cover-up of his assassination. Whether I believe that or not, the important thing is for the audience to decide for themselves if JFK’s words have any relevance to our current state of political affairs.
My piece combines live performers with pre-recorded electronics, as well as edited recordings of JFK’s voice. My goal was to create an atmosphere of irony and illusion. This composition depicts the triumph and victory of these prophetic words of truth and reason, though at the same time echoing the manipulative forces that trampled on these parables, as the world watched in horror the end of the golden Camelot on November 22, 1963. The audio file was edited to create many faces of the deception of politicians; not necessarily to place judgment on this man, but rather to question the intent of all political administrations. Whether or not one believes John F. Kennedy was a successful president, it cannot be denied that his words of truth and responsibility for those in power still hold strong merit. Unfortunately, “honesty is the best policy” is sometimes only a mask concealing what really lies behind the curtain. For a complete transcript of the speech, click here.
6 1/2 Magic Hours
2010/11.5’
Written for DETOUR’s Music for the Prelinger Archives Concert in NYC
New music written for a Pan American World Airways 1958 advert of a flight from New York City to London on a Boeing 707. Re-scored and premiered for DETOUR's Music for the Prelinger Archives Concert in NYC, 20 March 2010.