Composer

:

Ted Hearne

Genre

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

2010

Average_duration

:

14:46

Movement_count

:

5

Movement ....

'Privilege' is a contemporary classical composition by Ted Hearne, an American composer known for his politically charged works. The piece was composed in 2017 and premiered on October 20th of the same year at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, California. 'Privilege' is a multi-movement work that explores the concept of privilege in modern society. The piece is scored for a large ensemble, including a choir, string quartet, percussion, and electronics. The work is divided into six movements, each of which explores a different aspect of privilege. The first movement, titled "The Fact of the Matter," sets the tone for the piece with a driving rhythm and dissonant harmonies. The movement features a spoken-word text that challenges the listener to confront their own privilege. The second movement, "White American Male," is a satirical take on the entitled attitudes of some white men. The movement features a solo vocalist who sings a series of absurd statements, such as "I'm not racist, but I don't want to live next to a mosque." The third movement, "Brownie, You're Doing a Heck of a Job," is a reference to the infamous statement made by President George W. Bush during Hurricane Katrina. The movement features a choir singing a text that highlights the systemic racism and inequality that led to the disaster. The fourth movement, "All Rise," is a tribute to the Black Lives Matter movement. The movement features a solo vocalist who sings a text that calls for justice and equality for black Americans. The fifth movement, "Nobody Gets Me," is a commentary on the isolation and loneliness that can come with privilege. The movement features a solo vocalist who sings a text that expresses the frustration of feeling misunderstood. The final movement, "We Are All Americans," is a hopeful and unifying conclusion to the piece. The movement features a choir singing a text that celebrates diversity and calls for unity in the face of adversity. Overall, 'Privilege' is a powerful and thought-provoking work that challenges the listener to confront their own privilege and consider the ways in which it affects their worldview. The piece is characterized by its use of spoken-word texts, driving rhythms, and dissonant harmonies, which create a sense of urgency and tension throughout the work.

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