For Those Who Died Trying

Frank Horvat: For Those Who Died Trying (photo by Luke Duggleby / Protection International)

Performed with intensity and poise by the Mivos Quartet…the resulting [musical] tributes are poignant.

– Steph Power
BBC Music Magazine

These compositions are gifts, tenderly composed and gorgeously played… They are universally moving.
– Richard Allen, A Closer Listen

World-renowned Mivos Quartet records the 35-movement string quartet, The Thailand HRDs, by Canadian composer Frank Horvat. This piece was inspired by the photo essay, For Those Who Died Trying, by photographer Luke Duggleby.

For Those Who Died Trying presents photographs of murdered or abducted environmental Human Rights Defenders in Thailand by placing a portrait of the victim, when possible at the exact place where they were murdered or went missing. “We wanted this photo exhibition to expose the situation of human rights defenders in Thailand and support their legitimate quest for justice,” said Liliana De Marco Coenen, Executive Director of Protection International.

Frank Horvat’s string quartet ‘For Those Who Died Trying’ is a musical outcry against the constant violation of human rights in Thailand and a sensitive portrait of [37] exceptional people. It’s a profound, moving and ultimately timeless album.
– Maxi Einenkel, Klassik Magazine

The Thailand HRDs presents each photo in a 2-minute classical string-quartet composition utilizing just the musical pitches/letters found in the names of each victim – implanting their unique musical DNA in every piece. “This music is not intended to be purely melancholic but have a tinge of defiance so the memory of these heroes lives on and will hopefully spur listeners to find their inner activist and fight for what they feel is important in this world,” explains Frank Horvat, the composer.

It is impossible to escape Frank Horvat’s mystical hypothesis that music is somehow part of all human DNA…a testament to the genius of Horvat that he is able to craft this into each segment of this unique 35-movement string quartet.
– Raul da Gama, WholeNote Magazine

What is curious is how he seems to succeed in evoking these people purely through sound… Each movement takes on its individual character but retains a larger connection to the work as a whole.
– Allan J. Cronin, New Music Buff

Frank interviews Pranom Somwong, Thai Human Rights Activist, Lawyer affiliated with Protection International
(start listening at 28:30)

The release of For Those Who Died Trying eventually led to the #music4HRDs social media campaign that featured string quartets and ensembles from around the world. Watch, Listen & Learn More Here.

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TYPE
Classical Chamber

ALBUM ART
View full-colour booklet

MUSICIANS
Mivos Quartet – Olivia De Prato (violin), Lauren Cauley Kalal (violin), Victor Lowrie Tafoya (viola), Mariel Roberts (cello)

COMPOSED & PRODUCED BY
Frank Horvat

RECORDED AT
The Canterbury Music Co. by Jeremy Darby and Julian Decorte, August 2018

MASTERED BY
Dennis Patterson

COVER PHOTO
Luke Duggleby / Protection International

COVER DESIGN
inspired by Christy Morgan

BOOKLET DESIGN
Lisa Horvat

LABEL
ATMA Classique

RELEASE DATE
16 November 2018

An essential recording.
– James Strecker Reviews the Arts

Story behind the tracks

Tracks 01-35: The Thailand HRDs*

*winner of the inaugural Kathleen McMorrow Music Award

We are moved by the sensitivity and integrity of the work. This passionate and heartfelt music carries an emotional message to the audience.
– Jury, Kathleen McMorrow Award

The silent portraits, looking small and vulnerable in their settings…looking back at the viewer from the scene of their last terrifying moments.
– New York Times

Project funded in part thanks to generous support from:

Recording funded in part thanks to the Ontario Arts Council
Toronto Arts Council
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