Hanna Benn
It is exciting to watch various ensembles across the country that create, innovate, and inspire. The Orpheus Chamber Orchestra is certainly one of the amazing world class ensembles that continues to “wow” us with their commitment to “extraordinary musical experiences through innovative collaborations.” In January, they collaborated with one of my favorite musicians, Hanna Benn.
Though the audio/video is not yet publicly available, I cannot wait to hear Benn’s “View (Un)titled", a composition inspired by artworks in the The Museum of Modern Art, New York collection. Orpheus Chamber Orchestra commissioned Hanna to imagine her own “Pictures at an Exhibition”, so she ventured through “MoMA’s halls looking for pieces that spoke to me, and in turn could speak to one another. What resulted is a set of tone poems which move between reflection and celebration, mourning and joy.” Excited to hear this performance!
Because I was not able to attend this fabulous concert, I would love to share thoughts from a person who was in the audience for this performance. This quote is from Philip Gardner’s Oberon’s Grove, Philip is a blogger who loves to write about classical music and dance events in Manhattan.
“The musical exploration of the various artworks (eight of them) showed that Ms. Benn is a composer who values melody; her music has a fresh and vital feeling, and she has a gift for making a visit to a museum seem important. Which it is!
As the movements unfolded, my companion and [I] lost track of exactly where in the order of the things we were. So we simply enjoyed the work as a whole: its rhythmic variety, the rich strings, the distinctive sounds of the wind voices, and the cunning use of percussion. Cinematic one moment and intimate the next, this music continually delighted the ear...and the imagination.
Ms. Benn was called to the stage for a bow after her work was played, and she was warmly greeted by the audience; returning to her seat, Ms. Benn received another [round] of applause, and she made a charming curtsey to the hall. During the interval, she slowly made her way up the aisle, pausing for autographs and selfie seekers. One tiny girl wanted to meet her, but was overcome by shyness (I know how she feels!); Ms. Benn knelt and spoke to her, putting the child at ease, and then they had a photo together: really such a sweet moment.
This sounds exactly like Hanna! I wish I would have seen this.
I had the pleasure of hearing Hanna Benn’s world premiere of Sankofa in 2017 with Seattle’s own North Corner Chamber Orchestra - NOCCO, a fantastic ensemble whose mission is to “present immersive, collaborative, and vibrant musical experiences to the diverse communities of the greater Seattle area.” Their mission is in-line with so many of us across the world who fundamentally believe that diversity is absolutely necessary in all aspects of the arts. Sankofa is an African word from the Akan tribe in Ghana which translates as “We must go back and reclaim our past so we can move forward.” Here is a recording of the Seattle Collaborative Orchestra performing Sankofa.
Where Springs Not Fail, performed here by East Coast Chamber Orchestra is full of gorgeous and lush string writing, which was inspired from the poem: Heaven-Haven: A nun takes the veil by Gerard Manley Hopkins
A nun takes the veil
I have desired to go
Where springs not fail,
To fields where flies no sharp and sided hail
And a few lilies blow.
And I have asked to be
Where no storms come,
Where the green swell is in the havens dumb,
And out of the swing of the sea.
These two compositions are both possible with excellent high school ensembles and up. Sankofa would be most meaningful with experienced African drumming musicians (for specifically the last movement) though it could be a powerful composition to work on with student musicians with an excellent percussion coach. Both works are musically interesting, gorgeous, and appealing for audience members and musicians of all levels.
Hanna continues to explore appealing sonic landscapes through her multidisciplinary approach. Her music pulls you in. Make sure to check out Benn’s Soundcloud and Spotify accounts. Can’t wait to hear what she does next - fantastic music!
Anna Edwards ©