On two recent Saturdays, I enjoyed spending time with my friend, Kathryn Ladano, recording my composition, Anatomy of the Recovering Brain. This is a work I composed for Kathryn last year detailing the challenges that brain injury survivors face, some for many years following their injury. The hour-long piece also shares how survivors are succeeding in managing or even overcoming the challenges their injury created in their lives.
Recorded by Earl McCluskie at Wesley United Church in Cambridge, this album is a “next step” to last year’s world premiere performance co-presented by NUMUS, the Ontario Brain Injury Association and the Brain Injury Association of Waterloo-Wellington.
The voices of 6 brain injury survivors (including Kathryn) are heard within the fixed electronics part throughout the entire work. They all have their own unique experiences, perspectives and personalities that are conveyed through the music. While Kathryn’s bass clarinet is a constant live presence throughout the composition, other musicians “wander” in and out of the piece for brief cameos. Vibraphonist, Richard Burrows, cellist, Morgan Lovell, pianist, Gregory Turner, and soprano, Pam Patel, were part of the world premiere last year and they will also be heard in this new album. Their poignant presence symbolizes the important people in our lives that are there to support us during difficult times on the road to recovery.
Thanks to the Ontario Arts Council for funding the production of this recording. Additional thanks to the OAC, the Waterloo Region Community Foundation and the Region of Waterloo Arts Fund for funding NUMUS’ commission last year.
Still much work to be done before the album can be released, but that should happen later this year. My hope is that those who have suffered a brain injury will feel a sense of comfort, knowing they are not alone on their road to rehabilitation when listening. I also hope that it will provide an enlightening exposé for those who have not battled a brain injury, motivating them to advocate for more awareness and services for those who have gone through this and create a level of understanding for their acquaintances who might be invisibly suffering. Most importantly, this is a work celebrating personal empowerment and the ability to overcome any obstacle life throws at you. Kathryn and I started conversations in bringing this piece to life 3 years ago. It touches my heart that its evolution has paralleled her own improvement to better health.
Stay tuned to my social media channels, my blog posts and my e-newsletter for updates on this album’s release.