Destined Words by James Lee III and Wordsmith in Honor of Juneteenth
JAMES LEE III – Marin Alsop is a woman of great humility and exceptional importance to the field of classical music . She has been instrumental in helping many young conductors and composers , including those of the Black , Indigenous , and People of Color ( BIPOC ) community , to secure many important professional growth opportunities . It has been a great privilege to work with her throughout her time with the BSO , and I have truly enjoyed her artistry in interpreting various works from the Classical and Romantic eras through to 20 th - and 21 st -century composers . I always appreciate the attention to detail and sincerity in interpreting my work with the orchestra at the highest possible level .
WORDSMITH – She has been a champion of change since I met her in 2018 . A foreigner to the classical world , she welcomed me as a musician and a diverse voice within the BSO . My first collaboration with Marin was a re-interpretation of Camille Saint-Saëns ’ Carnival of the Animals , followed by an endearing challenge to modernize Beethoven ’ s Ninth with new text ; namely “ Ode to Joy .” Marin wants to see classical music evolve into a genre all cultures can relate to , while keeping the essence of the music intact . Allowing outside voices the space to be creative shows her love for seeing others successful in their own right . My final concert with Marin in the 2020-21 season will be a collaboration with composer James Lee III titled Destined Words . This body of work will musically document the events of Juneteenth and provide a fitting opening to The Marin Festival Gala Celebration .
JAMES LEE III – Marin will conduct the world premiere of Destined Words for narrator and orchestra with Wordsmith . It unfolds with hopeful ascents in the strings and melodies in solo woodwind instruments that evoke a certain longing for freedom . This is echoed especially in the trumpets earlier on in the piece . The music progresses with depictions of battle scenes during the Civil War . During these passages there are hints of the songs entitled “ The Battle Hymn of the Republic ” and “ Dixieland ” in the brass and woodwinds . Additionally , a prominent quote comes from “ Lift Every Voice and Sing ” in the woodwinds . At the climax , the trumpets sing “ FREEDOM ” on the notes F and D . Celebrations of jubilee and dancing follow , ending with an explosive chord after the words “ We were destined to be great .”
— James Lee III and Wordsmith
September 2018
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September 2018
Honored Her Personal Mentor as Part of Bernstein at 100
THE MARIN FESTIVAL • MAY 27-JUNE 19 , 2021
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