Ashes, Ashes was composed as an elegiac concert work for the 10th anniversary of the September 11th tragedy. The work debuted September 11, 2011 at Christ Lutheran Church Inner Harbor, Baltimore. This is the final movement of the 18 minute work; the full work is available on DVD from the artist.
Lyrics and Music by Timothy Nohe. Improvisations by the musicians. Diane Schaming, mezzo soprano; Lisa Cella, winds and water; Andy Hayleck, bowed percussion; Timothy Nohe, laptop synthesis and sequences, waterphone, water and ash. © Timothy Nohe 2011
Concert organized by Hollis Thoms for the National Capital Area Chapter of the Fulbright Alumni Association.
Final movement lyrics:
The day is done, the day is past
The conspiracy remains,
at a distance,
menacing us, controlling us, invading us,
Hands against us, without and within,
and we do strike out
directing our wrath
but no consolation is found as
fire eats fire
This bone is bitter
in our mouths
and our cries for
mother, father
sister, and brother
rise into clear blue sky
Clear sky
Lift
Lift
Lift
your voice
to the clear
clear blue sky
to the clear blue sky
to the clear
