For the Fallen

Program Note:

For the Fallen, originally scored for trumpet and electronics, was commissioned by Ivano Ascari, to whom it is dedicated. After discussing the project with him, I decided to take my inspiration from, and create the electronics from, recordings of the Capana del Cauditi (Bell for the Fallen) in Rovereto, Italy, his home town. Sometimes called Maria Dolens, the bell was originally cast from cannons melted after World War I and is one of the largest ringing bells in the world. Built between 1918 and 1925 to commemorate the fallen in all wars, it is rung daily in their memory. The bell has been recast twice, and is now located on Colle di Miravalle, overlooking the city of Rovereto. While the political situation changes in its particulars, the topic remains all too timely, and I composed For the Fallen while thinking both of those who fell in World War I, and the thousands upon thousands who have fallen in war since then.

The trumpet part sometimes blends with the bell sounds, ringing for the fallen, at other times it rises in mourning, to wild keening, before closing with a sense of resignation. The original bell recordings were kindly provided by engineer Marco Olivotto. In performance, the sound of the trumpet,or other instrument, should blend with that of the electronics. Ivano Ascari gave the premiere at the Mondi Sonori Festival in Trento, Italy, hosted by the Conservatorio Bonporti Trento.

For the Fallen, in the version for amplified cello and electronic playback, was commissioned by cellist Madeleine Shapiro. Another version, for soprano saxophone and electronics, was commissioned by Susan Fancher, and been recorded by Drew Whiting. The fourth version, for amplified flute and electronics, was composed for Lindsey Goodman, who premiered and recorded it. For more information, visit www.judithshatin.com. –JSE