Remember (2022)
mezzo-soprano soloist, unison choir, orchestra
c. 9 minutes 30 seconds
text by Joy Harjo
Commissioned by Women In the Arts, National Women’s Musical Festival for the 2022 National Women’s Musical Festival
Premiered by Rhea Olivaccé (soprano), the National Women's Music Festival Chorus (Renée Janksi, director), and the National Women's Music Festival Orchestra (Nan Washburn, conductor)
Marriot Madison West Hotel & Conference Center, Middleton, WI, 2 July 2022
c. 9 minutes 30 seconds
text by Joy Harjo
Commissioned by Women In the Arts, National Women’s Musical Festival for the 2022 National Women’s Musical Festival
Premiered by Rhea Olivaccé (soprano), the National Women's Music Festival Chorus (Renée Janksi, director), and the National Women's Music Festival Orchestra (Nan Washburn, conductor)
Marriot Madison West Hotel & Conference Center, Middleton, WI, 2 July 2022
Music begins at 4:05.
In her poem “Remember” (1983), Indigenous poet and U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo speaks directly to her audience, imploring them to remember their connection to the earth and to each other. Through her writing, Harjo reminds us of the similarities that connect people of diverse backgrounds and of the interdependence that people have on one another. This musical work of the same name is a gradual crescendo that celebrates these ideas of interconnection and togetherness. The choir enters first, softly repeating the word “remember.” The mezzo-soprano joins them on her own melody, first on a neutral syllable, then on Harjo’s text. After the climax of the work, the choir enters yet again, once more reminding their audience to “remember.” Finally, the mezzo-soprano and choir sing in unison with one another in an energetic, joyful celebration that concludes the work.
Text
“Remember,” by Joy Harjo, from “She Had Some Horses”
© 1983 by Joy Harjo. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
In her poem “Remember” (1983), Indigenous poet and U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo speaks directly to her audience, imploring them to remember their connection to the earth and to each other. Through her writing, Harjo reminds us of the similarities that connect people of diverse backgrounds and of the interdependence that people have on one another. This musical work of the same name is a gradual crescendo that celebrates these ideas of interconnection and togetherness. The choir enters first, softly repeating the word “remember.” The mezzo-soprano joins them on her own melody, first on a neutral syllable, then on Harjo’s text. After the climax of the work, the choir enters yet again, once more reminding their audience to “remember.” Finally, the mezzo-soprano and choir sing in unison with one another in an energetic, joyful celebration that concludes the work.
Text
“Remember,” by Joy Harjo, from “She Had Some Horses”
© 1983 by Joy Harjo. Used by permission. All rights reserved.