"Consider Love".  The text : “In a world filled with mistrust, armed to the teeth and ready to explode, maybe a realistic attitude might be to consider love as an imperative need.”
Dominique de Menil, at the Rothko Chapel, 1977.  I set it to music for chorus SATB with small ensemble as part of a large oratorio called "Reach[ Out, Raise Hope, Change Society" for the 90th anniversary of the School of Social Work, University of Michigan. This performance is by the Chamber Choir of U Michigan conducted by Jerry Blackstone. I think the message is important always, but especially now. Again, now. Keeping love for humanity — all of us — there is no them — uppermost in our hearts is essential. Don't let their hatred destroy you and torture your mind. ALWAYS: Consider Love. I hope the music speaks to you.

04 Consider Love

“Are There Not a Thousand Forms of Sorrow” was commissioned to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center in 2019 by a consortium including the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, Chamber Music Northwest, Salt Bay Chamberfest, and Off the Hook Arts Festival.
The title is taken from Ethan Canin’s novel A Doubter’s Almanac: "Are there not a thousand forms of sorrow? Is the sorrow of death the same as knowing the sorrow in a child’s future?" The performers are: Sean Lee and Arnaud Sussman, violins; Mark Holloway, viola; David Requiro and Clive Greensmith, cellos. Performed in Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center, on October 27,  2019.

Are There Not a Thousand Forms of Sorrow?

Bruce Adolphe

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