Nevertheless by Megan Bledsoe Ward - Hats+Heels Duo
East Coast Premiere performance of Megan Bledsoe Ward's Nevertheless
Commissioned for BARP by Archipelago Collective
Composer's Notes: Funding generously provided by the American Harp Society and the International Double Reed Society
This piece was inspired by Elizabeth Warren, who in 2017 objected to the confirmation of Jeff Sessions as U.S. Attorney General by reading a letter by Coretta Scott King that spoke to Sessions’ abuse of power in silencing minority voices and actively impeding social justice advocacy. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell objected to this letter being read on the senate floor, on the grounds that it impugned the conduct of a fellow senator. McConnell later spoke of the incident by stating that even though she was warned not to continue reading the letter, “Nevertheless, she persisted.”
This line, “Nevertheless, she persisted,” has become a rallying cry for progressives, feminists, and social justice advocates across the country, and it was very inspiring to me in its idea that regardless of how powerful the opposition, we should persist in doing what we know to be right and just.
So this piece is partially a reaction to the divisive state of our country and our world. Even though it feels dire, nevertheless, I think it is important, if not crucial, to continue making art. This is also an apt title for this particular piece, because I was writing for two instruments that are often misunderstood. We often think of the harp as being associated with angels and heaven, and yes it can play beautiful music, but it can do a lot of other things too. The bassoon often gets lumped into playing “oom-pas” or, like the cello, imitating the vocal quality of the human voice. And while these instruments can and often do fulfill these roles, I wanted to highlight how effective they can be in other scenarios, that might be more like funk beats or rock and distortion sounds. Most of all, I wanted this to be a really fun piece to listen to and to play.
You’ll notice that I included some extended techniques on both instruments: the harpist will use a piece of paper woven between the strings to add a buzzing sound in the middle of the piece, while other sections highlight harmonics or playing close to the soundboard. The bassoonist will perform a glissando at times, slowly sliding from one note to the next, and will use flutter tongue for a growl to match the tone of the paper between the strings of the harp.
Performed by Hats+Heels Duo
Dr. Blaire Koerner - bassoon
Dr. Rosanna Moore - harp
https://www.hatsandheelsduo.com/
Recorded by Marc Webster at Blue on Blue Recording, Rochester NY
http://www.blueonbluerecording.com/
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