Shalom for Flute and Orchestra (8’) 2009
I. Chaotic
II. Yearning

Commissioned by the New York Youth Symphony
Premiered at Carnegie Hall (Stern Auditorium)
Alex Sopp, Flute; Ryan McAdams, Conductor; The New York Youth Symphony

Non-printable Score

Program Note:

Where sharing happens only for the expected return,
where proving others wrong seems obligatory,
where human brokenness provides material for gossip,
where trusting defines naiveté  and caution, maturity,
where right or wrong never exists until offended,
where pleasurably distorted freedom rules abandoned morality,
where luxury disempowers the meek,
where gun threats seem acceptable for safety of your country,
where a simple illness feels more important than thousands of lives,
where holding poisonous chemicals seems politically necessary…
I live. 

A mother warns,
      “Never play with that boy. He’s the son of a prisoner!”
A father advises,
      “Just focus on studying. You can help people later. ” 

Here I live… dreaming שָׁלוֹם (Shalom)…

Sep. 2010

by Elliott Bark/Ann Ferguson