Michael Udow

SATB Chorus

Composer's Note:

Pablo (Pau) Casals was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1963 by President John F. Kennedy. In October 1971, two months before his 95th birthday, and a year before he passed, Casals was awarded the United Nations Peace Medal presented by Secretary-General U Thant. Casals's profound dedication to humanitarian values was a fundamental axiom of his being. In 1917, he refused to play in Soviet Russia, and in 1933, he was an outspoken opponent of fascism, refusing to play in Hitler's Germany. In 1946, Pablo Casals announced his retirement from public performances in protest of the Allied countries who tolerated General Franco's regime. He returned to making music publicly in 1950. We recognize cellist, conductor, and composer Pablo Casals as a gifted musician who stood up against authoritarian regimes.

The thematic elements honoring Pablo Casals are based on the dates of his lifespan: 1876 – 1973, 1 = C, 8 = octave above, 7 = B-natural, 6 = A, 1 – C, 9 = the D octave above, 7 – the B-natural, and 3 = E. In addition, taken from his name, Pablo Casals, the vowels are represented in pitches: A, B, C, A, S (si = B), A, and S.

Pau was comissioned by Edeta Arts, John Crozman, CEO, in recognition of Llíria, Spain being designated as a UNESCO City of Music. The premiere, one of ten works I composed for Llíria was presented by Horizons Choir Canada. Johanna Hildebrand, Artistic Director, on July 6, 2024 for the Impressions of Llíria festival.

While there are no direct quotes, specific words were part of Pablo Casals's vocabulary. Phrases that I have crafted echo ideals and concepts dear to his heart. I attribute these words and concepts to this extraordinary individual.