Threnody for Democracy: “What You Can Do,” premiered by the San Francisco Contemporary Chamber Orchestra (SFCCO) on November 2nd, 2024, is a cautionary tale that explores the fragility of the American experiment and the ease with which it can be led toward authoritarianism. It reflects on how fear and past failures have, at times, allowed segments of the population to be manipulated, disregarding warnings and succumbing to empty promises. In an era of heightened political division, I felt compelled to delve into the struggles democracy faces, layering historical voices into a composition that mourns but also empowers.
Musically, “Threnody for Democracy” is inspired by Steve Reich’s phase tape works, such as “Come Out” and “It’s Gonna Rain“, as well as his “Different Trains“. I consider this work a “concerto for digital tape,” with carefully chosen presidential quotes that span from Franklin Delano Roosevelt to Joe Biden. These voices resonate with a mix of hope, disappoint and warning, illustrating moments of courage and caution. To select the quotes, I spent hours listening to archival speeches, allowing certain excerpts to emerge organically, while others appeared only after deep listening.
The structure of the work consists of an introduction, three main sections—“Resilient Nation,” “Confronting Our Shadows,” and “Dawn of Hope”—and a coda. Interwoven throughout are melodic references to Gregorian chants for requiems, subtly reinforcing the narrative.
“Resilient Nation” starts by examining the endurance of democratic ideals, while cautioning against the fear that can erode them. The segment includes “Fear” and “What You Can Do,” which highlights the need for individual action. Here, the music takes on a rhythmic urgency, with phasing and electronic effects underscoring democracy’s fragile structure.
“Confronting Our Shadows” delves into the darker side, reflecting on times of selfishness and division. A repeated refrain of “false” captures the cycle of deception that can threaten democratic values. Through discordant tones and shifting rhythms, I wanted to create a sense of discomfort, a reminder that democracy’s health requires constant vigilance.
The final section, “Dawn of Hope”, brings a message of optimism and the potential for rectification. It transitions from the darker tones of the previous sections with a reflective quote from Eisenhower, followed by uplifting contributions from Obama and Reagan. Musically, there is a recapitulation of earlier themes that ties the work together, musically embodying the capacity for change and improvement.
In Threnody for Democracy, I hope to encourage reflection and a renewed commitment to action. This piece is both a eulogy and a call to arms—a reminder that democracy is not a given, but something we must actively work to sustain.
Threnody for Democracy: "What You Can Do"
⚠ Content Warning: This content contains presidential quotes with explicit language & references to inappropriate behavior, which may be disturbing or offensive to some viewers.
For deeper insights into the inspiration behind Threnody for Democracy, feel free to explore my thoughts further on my blog.
List of Quotes (in order of appearance):
Trump: “I did try and fuck her, she was married, you know I’m automatically attracted the beautiful, I just start kissing them and when you’re Star, they let you do it. You can do anything, grab ’em by the pussy.”
FDR: “… let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is — fear itself.”
Bush Jr.: “Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the Foundation of America.”, “A great people has been moved to defend a great nation.”
JFK: “… and so my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you ask — What you can do for your country.”
LBJ: “The Great Society rests on abundance and liberty for all. It demands an end to poverty and racial injustice,…”, “It demands an end to poverty and racial injustice, to which we are totally committed in our time.”
Clinton: “False”, “I did not have sexual relations with that woman.”, “I never told anyone to lie.”
Nixon: “… because people have got to know whether or not their present is a crook. Well I’m not a crook.”
Trump: “I need 11,000 votes, gimme a break.”, “I just want to find eleven thousand, seven hundred & eighty votes. Which is one more then we have.”, “I will totally accept the result of this great presidential election — If I win!”
Eisenhower: “The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist. We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes.”
Trump: “When somebody’s the president of the United States, the authority is total.”, “Get rid of the ballots and you’ll have a very peaceful—there won’t be a transfer, frankly, there’ll be a continuation.”
Eisenhower: “In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence…”, “…endanger our liberties or democratic processes.”
Obama: “We have seen is that America can change, that is the true genius of this nation. What we have already achieved gives us hope. The audacity to hope, for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.”
Reagan: “Tear down this wall.”
Biden: “We are a nation of promise and possibility”, “…power is in your hands.”
Trump: “…in four years, you don’t have to vote again. We’ll have it fixed so good, you’re not gonna have to vote.”
Biden: “George Washington showed us Presidents are not kings.”, “… whether the Founders had given America a monarchy or a republic, Franklin’s response was, ‘A republic, if you can keep it.'”, “…kings and dictators do not rule.”
