War Sonatas
Michael Kieran Harvey (piano)
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Three piano sonatas composed by Michael Kieran Harvey on the theme of war in the 21st century. Poetry written and spoken by Arjun von Caemmerer is heard between the sonatas
These three “war” sonatas were composed during the escalation of the 2014 war on Ukraine by Russia beginning on 24 February 2022, the largest attack on a European country since World War II. Many composers have written large works as a response to the insanity of war wielded by aggressive maniacs, a formidable example for piano being Wolpe’s Battlepiece of 1943-4. Towards the end of completion of these sonatas war in the Middle East again flared.
Three entities inspired Michael Kieran Harvey to negotiate this period and the deep feelings of anger, despair and sorrow he felt for the innocent victims: Peter Singer’s writings, his friend and collaborator on many projects Dr Arjun von Caemmerer, and his return to the study of philosophy.
Track Listing:
- The Ire of Irina Arjun von Caemmerer
Piano Sonata #8 “P. Singer” Michael Kieran Harvey
- Allegro giusto
- Onirico
- Ritmico
- Word War I: Not All Singers Sing from the Same Song-Book Arjun von Caemmerer
Piano Sonata #9 “Sonata da Caemmerer” Michael Kieran Harvey
- Zappaesque
- Rubato
- Giusto Tempo
- Word War II: The Saṃgīta of Arjuna Arjun von Caemmerer
Sonata #10 “Riding with Death” Michael Kieran Harvey
- I - Hallucinations 1-8
- II - Hammered, relentless
- Word War III: Caught in the Cross-Hairs Arjun von Caemmerer
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Released April 2025
- Move Records
- MD 3477