Avshalomov “We Hold These Truths”–new recording

Dear Colleague,

Please take 8 minutes to listen to this new demo recording of “We Hold These Truths”, the climactic middle movement of my Jefferson oratorio, “Principles”, with piano (orchestration also available).

This movement sets the salient parts of the Declaration of Independence. Its message has great urgency today. Never before in our history have Jefferson’s words been more relevant.

The oratorio (with brief baritone solos) also sets lyrics like these:

. . . the truth is great and will prevail if left to herself;
she is the proper and sufficient antagonist to error,
and has nothing to fear from the conflict unless by human interposition
deprived of her natural weapons, free argument and debate;
errors ceasing to be dangerous when it is permitted freely to contradict them.

. . . all men shall be free to profess, and by argument to maintain their opinions in matters of religion,
and that the same shall in no wise diminish, enlarge, or affect their civil capacities. [Statute of Virginia for religious freedom, 1779/86]

What country can preserve its Liberties, if its rulers are not warned from time to time, that this people preserve the spirit of resistance? [letter, Shay’s Rebellion]

Rebellion to Tyrants is Obedience to God. [His Personal Motto]

. . . the mass of mankind has not been born with saddles on their backs, nor a favored few booted and spurred, ready to ride them legitimately, by the grace of God. [Last letter]

You can hear other movements in demo recordings on my website:

Chorus

There you will also find updated .pdfs of the P/V score and full orchestra score.

I hope you will give a listen and a look, and contact me if you can use this piece. I publish it in inexpensive .pdf, with educational discount.

Best regards,

David Avshalomov
Composer, Guest Conductor, Singer

310-480-9525
www.davidavshalomov.com

Over 20 national and international composition prizes since 2010
Honored Artist of The American Prize 2014