In the spring of 2020, Aaron Jay Kernis composed a lyrical, emotive elegy for the victims of COVID-19. After virtually premiering the initial version for solo piano, Kernis created a variety of larger arrangements of Elegy (for those we lost) during the pandemic. These arrangements are featured in several recent and upcoming performances by The Cleveland Orchestra, Buffalo Philharmonic, New Century Chamber Orchestra, and Colorado Music Festival. Following are links to these virtual and live concerts, along with this recorded reading from earlier in the season featuring Peter Oundjian conducting the Yale Philharmonia.
Watch:
Virtual Performances:
The Cleveland Orchestra – new setting for trumpet and harp
New Century Chamber Orchestra – for string orchestra
Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra – for percussion, harp, and strings
Colorado Music Festival – for percussion, harp, and strings
Versions of Elegy (for those we lost):
Full Orchestra
Chamber Orchestra
Percussion, Harp, and Strings
Strings
Violin and Piano
Piano
Kernis also commissioned a deeply moving film from editor and documentarian Esther Shubinski to accompany his elegy, which is available to use in tandem with performances of the piece. Performances of Elegy (for those we lost) are also opportunities for organizations to create their own films and pay tribute to the ways in which the pandemic has affected their communities.
Links:
Watch the film by Shubinski
Read an elegy interview with Kernis
For more information, please contact your local Wise Music Promotion Team. See Contact Us.
