Poetry Despite/Music Despite (Eternal War Requiem) Double Vinyl Record

Aaron Hughes presents Poetry Despite/Music Despite (Eternal War Requiem) a double vinyl record that connects artists across time and place, from World War I to the “Global War on Terror,” from the UK to Iraq. These connections acknowledge the recurring traumas of war and, conversely, the human connections that happen despite the pain.

The album features improvised cello by maestro Karim Wasfi, hip-hop by The Syrian Kings, and poetry by Dunya Mikhail, Carlos Sirah, Kevin Basl, and Aaron Hughes. This new composition includes an original sound design by Nate Sandberg Directed by Aaron Hughes and samples from Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem, performed at Coventry Cathedral on May 30, 1962 by the London Symphony Orchestra, Melos Ensemble, The Bach Choir and London Symphony Chorus, Highgate School Choir, Simon Preston on organ, and soloists Galina Vishnevskaya, Peter Pears, and Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau.

Conceived & Organized by AARON HUGHES

Improvised Cello Performances by KARIM WASFI

Hip-Hop by THE SYRIAN KINGS (Ahmed & Hussein with contributions from Jowan, Ali and Mohammad; supported by GemArts music leaders Izzy Finch and Pawel Jedrzejewski)

Poetry by AARON HUGHES, CARLOS SIRAH, DUNYA MIKHAIL, & KEVIN BASL

Samples from Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem, performed at Coventry Cathedral on May 30, 1962 by the London Symphony Orchestra, Melos Ensemble, The Bach Choir and London Symphony Chorus, Highgate School Choir, Simon Preston on organ, and soloists Galina Vishnevskaya, Peter Pears, and Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau.

Sound Design by NATE SANDBURG

2019