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Threnody for Democracy quotWhat You Can Doquot by Michael Cooke
>> YOUR LINK HERE: ___ http://youtube.com/watch?v=9VuYp6Y-b44
Michael Cooke's Threnody for Democracy: What You Can Do is a cautionary tale that explores how fragile the American experiment can be, illustrating the ease with which a democracy can be undermined and led toward authoritarianism. It reflects on how fear and past failures have, at times, allowed segments of the population to be manipulated, disregarding warnings and succumbing to empty promises. The narrative is constructed using a range of presidential quotes—some uplifting, others more ominous. These voices, drawn from modern-era presidents beginning with Franklin Delano Roosevelt, were chosen through an immersive selection process. Some quotes naturally stood out, while others emerged through careful, deep listening to historical speeches. The featured presidents include FDR, Eisenhower, JFK, LBJ, Nixon, Reagan, Clinton, Bush Jr., Obama, Trump, and Biden. • Musically, Threnody for Democracy is inspired by Steve Reich’s phase tape works, such as Come Out and It’s Gonna Rain , as well as his Different Trains . This piece can be seen as a concerto for digital tape, with the pre-recorded material serving as the featured voice of the composition. Interwoven throughout are melodic references to Gregorian chants for requiems, subtly reinforcing the narrative. • The structure of the work consists of an introduction, three main sections—“Resilient Nation,” “Confronting Our Shadows,” and “Dawn of Hope”—and a coda. “Resilient Nation” is the longest section and is divided into two parts: “Fear” and “What You Can Do.” The second section, “Confronting Our Shadows”, highlights moments of failure, selfishness, and corruption, underscored by a rhythmic repetition of the word “false” at around the seven- minute mark. The final section, “Dawn of Hope”, brings a message of optimism and the potential for rectification. It transitions from the darker tones of the previous sections with a reflective quote from Eisenhower, followed by uplifting contributions from Obama and Reagan. A recapitulation of earlier themes ties the work together, musically embodying the capacity for change and improvement. • For deeper insights into the inspiration behind Threnody for Democracy , explore Michael's thoughts further on his blog. https://blog.michaelkcooke.com/tag/de... • #democracy #americanpolitics #presidentialquotes #musicalcomposition #politicalcommentary #composition #newmusic #experimentalmusic #postmodernism
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