Fire Water Paper: A Vietnam Oratorio
Encyclopedia
Fire Water Paper: A Vietnam Oratorio is a large scale orchestral oratorio
composed by Elliot Goldenthal
, commissioned and performed by the Pacific Symphony Orchestra in 1993 for the 20th Anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War
.
performed Solo Cello on "Part I"; other performers include: The Pacific Chorale & Children's Chorus the Ngah-Khoi Vietnamese Children's Choir, Ann Panagulias and James Maddalena
; it was conducted by Carl St. Clair.
It is not considered an archetypal oratorio as it doesn't tell a story so much as it brings together many different poems and words of praise, the latter adding a sort of religious aspect in the form of requiem
.
Oratorio
An oratorio is a large musical composition including an orchestra, a choir, and soloists. Like an opera, an oratorio includes the use of a choir, soloists, an ensemble, various distinguishable characters, and arias...
composed by Elliot Goldenthal
Elliot Goldenthal
Elliot Goldenthal is an American composer of contemporary classical music. He was a student of Aaron Copland and John Corigliano, and is best known for his distinctive style and ability to blend various musical styles and techniques in original and inventive ways...
, commissioned and performed by the Pacific Symphony Orchestra in 1993 for the 20th Anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
.
The album
It was performed publicly and recorded in mid 1995 and released commercially in 1996. Yo-Yo MaYo-Yo Ma
Yo-Yo Ma is an American cellist, virtuoso, and orchestral composer. He has received multiple Grammy Awards, the National Medal of Arts in 2001 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011...
performed Solo Cello on "Part I"; other performers include: The Pacific Chorale & Children's Chorus the Ngah-Khoi Vietnamese Children's Choir, Ann Panagulias and James Maddalena
James Maddalena
James Maddalena is an American baritone who is chiefly associated with contemporary American opera. He gained international recognition in 1987 when he created the role of Richard Nixon at the premiere of Adams's opera Nixon in China at Houston. He has since reprised the role on many occasions,...
; it was conducted by Carl St. Clair.
It is not considered an archetypal oratorio as it doesn't tell a story so much as it brings together many different poems and words of praise, the latter adding a sort of religious aspect in the form of requiem
Requiem
A Requiem or Requiem Mass, also known as Mass for the dead or Mass of the dead , is a Mass celebrated for the repose of the soul or souls of one or more deceased persons, using a particular form of the Roman Missal...
.
Track listing
- Part I: Offertorium (32:08)
- Part II: Scherzo (giang co) (14:14)
- Part III: Hymn (19:19)
Crew/Performers
- Music Composed by Elliot Goldenthal
- Produced by Steven Epstein
- Performed by Yo-Yo Ma, Solo Cello (Part I)
- Ann Panagulias, Soprano & James Maddalena, Baritone
- Pacific Chorale & Children's Chorus
- Ngan-Khoi Vietnamese Children's Chorus
- Pacific Symphony Orchestra, Conducted by Carl St. Clair
- Engineer: Richard King
External links
- http://goldenthal.filmmusic.com/concert/firewaterpaper/index.html - The page for the album on the composer's website.