'A Soldiers Story & The Apotheosis Of John Brown,' Two New Radio Operas From Kurt Vonnegut And Dave Soldier

A New CD by Mullatta Records of Two Radio Operas Based on the Writings of Frederick Douglas and Kurt Vonnegut.

New York, NY (PRWEB) August 11, 2005 -- The New York-based composer Dave Soldier has re-created the format of a radio opera with the legendary futurist writer Kurt Vonnegut. A Soldier's Story was written by Kurt Vonnegut and Dave Soldier and is recorded and performed by the Manhattan Chamber Orchestra with Richard Auldon Clark, conductor.

The text for this work was adapted by Dave Soldier from substitute text for Stravinsky's Histoire du Soldat, by Mr. Vonnegut. Mr. Vonnegut's story tells the true account of Private Eddie Slovik; the only American soldier shot for cowardice since the Civil War. As the story unfolds the absurdity of killing your own troop for the sake of protocol in an otherwise chaotic war and world, loans great insight into the current situation our troops are experiencing in the Iraq war and the culture war at home in the United States.

Dave Soldier's amazingly original score lends great character and poignant alliteration to Vonnegut's biting and witty role as the General who plays opposite to Private Eddie Slovik, performed by Brad Hougham. Mr. Soldier's orchestration is of particular note, given his choice of instrumentation which is exact to Stravinsky's Histoire du Soldat, (violin, trombone, trumpet, clarinet, bassoon, double bass, percussion and guitar), except for his addition of a guitar.

Staying true to radio format, Mr. Soldier has incorporated into the structure of his opera announcement bumpers along with genuine commercials from the 1940's. A total running time of twenty-four minutes and thirty-one seconds, Mr. Vonnegut and Mr. Soldier's radio opera A Soldier's Story, (MUL-010) is a compelling and important new work in an old and re-vamped format. The role of radio announcer is performed by Phil Schaap. Mr. Schaap a veteran radio host, announcer, jazz historian and writer for over twenty years loans his familiar voice and delivery to Mr. Soldier's composition. The recording also makes use of coloristic engineering that creates an aural illusion of a broadcast from the 1940s.

"The chance is now given you to end in a day the bondage of centuries, and to rise in one bound from social degradation to the place of common equality with all other varieties of men", wrote Frederick Douglass.

Dave Soldiers companion work on this recording is appropriately entitled:
The Apotheosis of John Brown. John Brown's life was controversial to say the least and necessary for changing the course of United States history. The raid on Harpers Ferry in 1859, organized by militant abolitionist John Brown, was a precursor to the Civil War. Brown's audacious plan was to raid a federal arsenal and use the arms to lead a slave revolt. His attack on the federal government became his last stand, as Frederick Douglass had prophesied when Brown had asked him to join in. "I told him, and these were my words, that he was going into a perfect steel trap and that once in he would never get out alive."    

Throughout the North, thousands flooded churches, meeting halls, and city streets to mourn his death and proclaim him a hero. The song "John Brown's Body" resounded in black churches. Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau eulogized him in verse."

Taken from texts of Frederic Douglas and adapted by Dave Soldier--once again, Mr. Soldier captures the heated rhetoric of the period. Mr. Soldier wraps his story warmly in a score that uses melodic references as well as period-style orchestration to a score that finds its roots in Federalist-styled music of the middle 1800s. Mr. Soldier's orchestration for this second radio opera is scored for, violins, violas cellos, harpsichord, double bass, percussion, additional percussion, soprano, mezzo-soprano, tenor, and baritone voices.

Soldier's imaginative use of a pizzicato string section along with harpsichord creates the imitation of picking banjos, and guitars. A familiar traditional American melody is chosen for this interlude. A total running time of thirty-eight minutes and five seconds, The Apotheosis of John Brown reminds the listener of how far we have traveled to have our freedom defined and protected in the United States. Both radio operas shed light on the different and separate paths great men will choose toward peace.

A Parental Warning sticker was affixed to the cover of this record to alert those who find descriptions of self-deification, cursing, the idea of freedom, dissolution of slavery and taking the Lord's name in vein to be offensive. For those who do not find such language, ideas and descriptions offensive or those who choose to listen have been duly informed.

For more information on Dave Soldier, Kurt Vonnegut and this recording please contact
Tony Scafide at Generation Media- 631 846-6231 / 917 217 3584.

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