Dear friend
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed."
This week is the Inauguration of our 46th President. Given this important, hard-fought moment, we thought to share with you a selection by Dranoff’s long-time friend and musical collaborator, Bobby Mitchell - Frederic Rzewski’s 1970 masterpiece Jefferson. It is a powerful celebration of the Declaration of Independence.
Long before the Broadway musical Hamilton, Mr. Rzewski gave early America a stirring spin. Sung in a plain, forceful style, like a medieval chant, the opening lines of the Declaration of Independence are joined to a burbling, surging piano part.
This piano part tells its own story, one of subtle but inevitable change throughout musical patterns (just like throughout life). Notes are added and subtracted in a way that makes the music come to life with rhythmic variety and urgency.
I hope you enjoy this moment of reflection.
Warmly,
Gabriele Fiorentino
President,
The Dranoff 2 Piano Foundation
Piano Slam
