Celebrating a Classical Symbol for Peace (Monday’s Bow October 15)



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Ten years ago one journalist fell victim to the war on terror. Ten years ago one musician found himself caught in the crossfire of a conflict that had ravaged a land. Ten years ago one man sacrificed his life in pursuit of the truth.

Daniel Jacob Pearl was a classical violinist and American journalist. While working as the South Asia Bureau Chief of The Wall Street Journal, based in Mumbai, India he was kidnapped during a visit to Pakistan. Pearl had gone there as part of an investigation into the links between Al-Qaeda and the “Shoe Bomber” Richard Reid.

He was kidnapped and beheaded by his captors. Al-Qaeda leader Khalid Sheikh Mohammed later claimed that he had personally beheaded Pearl.

Last week on October 10, we marked the birthday of Daniel Pearl. It’s been 10 years since Pearl’s murder, and every year since his memory has been honored by Daniel Pearl World Music Day. This is an occasion to promote “cross-cultural understanding through music and innovative communication.”

Yesterday, one chamber group gave their tribute to honor the mission and principles that Pearl embodied.

On Oct. 14 at Temple Beth El in South Whitehall Township, the chamber ensemble Satori will present its eighth annual concert honoring the ideals that inspired Pearl. The program features music for flute, clarinet and strings by Quantz, Kuhlau, Shostakovich, Beethoven and Zwilich.

Part of the fun of Satori programs, especially its Daniel Pearl concerts, is that Satori director and flutist Nora Suggs always manages to throw in at least one less-known ringer into a program of otherwise familiar faces. Two years ago it was the Catalan Spanish composer Manuel Valls. Last year it was Israeli composer Shulamit Ran. This year, it’s American composer Ellen Taaffe Zwilich.

Outside of the hard-core classical music world, the name Zwilich doesn’t ring too many musical bells. That’s a shame since she’s not only the first woman to win a Pulitzer Prize in composition, but has won nearly every prize a composer can, including an Academy Award.

Read the full story – Satori performs for Daniel Pearl World Music Day

To learn more about Daniel Pearl World Music Day, visit the Daniel Pearl Foundation.

More stories from the classical music world:

Finally, NBC recently reported on a 7-year old prodigy for whom “nothing about music seems to phase her.” Her piano teacher remarks that “it’s like she’s been there before.” This prodigy has already composed a short opera and spends five hours per day on her music!

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy




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