RN Documentary: Imagination is the Instrument of Compassion
Series: RN Documentaries
From: Radio Netherlands Worldwide
Length: 00:29:30
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Piece Description
New York author Jonathan Safran Foer?s novel ?Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close? is part of a wave of what has been dubbed ?post-9/11 fiction.? But some critics say not enough time has passed to write a great book relating to the event. How much time must pass before such a catastrophic event can be transformed into a work of art? Interview with the author is mixed with short excerpts from the book against a backdrop of John Adams? ?On the Transmigration of Souls? (composed for the first anniversary of 9/11 and winner of the Pulitzer Prize for music).
Transcript
?Imagination is the Instrument of Compassion?
Of the many books which have appeared this year in the new genre which has been called ?post-9/11 fiction? one of the most striking is Jonathan Safran Foer?s ?Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close.?
Interview: Jonathan Safran Foer (Marijke van der Meer June 2005)
Music: ?On the Transmigration of Souls? by John Adams (Sept 2002)
Readings: ?Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close? by Jonathan S. Foer
SCRIPT
VOX ID
MUSIC: On the Transmigration of Souls ? John Adams & NY Philharmonic
From Start
DAVID: To commemorate the first anniversary of the events on September 11, 2001, composer John Adams created what he calls a ?memory space? ? a place where one can be alone with ones thoughts and emotions. He was inspired by European cathedrals where one senses the presence of generations upon generations of souls, as if they were all con...
Read the full transcript
Musical Works
On the Transmigration of Souls New York Philharmonic Nonesuch7559-79816-2 John Adams 14?00?
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Dmae Roberts
Posted on January 16, 2006 at 07:26 AM | Permalink
Review of RN Documentary: Imagination is the Instrument of Compassion
This is telling and profoundly beautiful piece about art responding to tragedy and horror. The opening music with the lone child's voice in repetition is simply stunning. There has been some music, some stage plays
about September 11th but not as much as one would think. The fear from artists is criticism that it's too soon to have any perspective. Any artwork responding to the horror would be scrutinized under a microscope. But as Novelist Jonathan Safran Foer responds, writing a book that might be called bad is better than not writing at all. "Imagination is the Instrument of Compassion" is worthy of airplay not just on the 9/11 anniversary. Producer David Swatling has artfully blended the intricate John Adam's score with Feor's interview and insightful excerpts from his book in this very compassionate and enlightening piece.