Now playing: Carlos Simon: "Songs of Separation" Movement 2 (Burning Hell) | National Symphony Orchestra by The Kennedy Center. Paused, Muted
Carlos Simon: "Songs of Separation" Movement 2 (Burning Hell) | National Symphony Orchestra
Video Description: Gianandrea Noseda leads the National Symphony Orchestra in the world premiere of Carlos Simon's "Songs of Separation," featuring Grammy-Award-winning J'Nai Bridges.
Performed live in the Kennedy Center's Concert Hall on April 23, 2023.
- I. Songs of Separation
- II. Burning Hell
- I plant some flowers without you – They become thorns.
- I see a peacock — it turns into a snake.
- I play the harp — nothing but noise.
- I go to the highest heaven — it’s a burning hell.
- Composer's Note:
- We all, as humans, experience separation in a variety of forms. Whether it be through the death of a loved one, a break-up, a divorce or a permanent relocation from family and friends, a parting of ways is a part of life for us all.
- To illustrate this musically, I chose to use the timeless words of the 13th century Persian poet, Jalāl al-Dīn Muḥammad Rūmī to convey this inevitable human experience.
- Each of the four movements depict moments of grief, sorrow as well hope and encouragement. Rūmī reminds us through his words that “What hurts you, also blesses you.”
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