30 August, Second Day

One of the days that lying in my bed and I can say, this was good, very good. The conductors worked through al the percussion parts, and get so much information that I think they are able to make there own version of percussion accompaniment in their own situation. Jury is really a hero. I knew that in my cooperation with him during the several performances we did. I know now better. He is a very good teacher, who can make things simple that seems very complicated. He brings down my percussion production on the CD to simple lines that can be played by good amateurs. And also in that way the poverty requiem is a peace that can be performed by everyone and not only by educated people. (look what I wrote about that subject in my blog making music democratically on the home page of the povertyrequiem site. )

And there was another hero this second day of the workshop. She is Mirjam from Oxfam Novib. She was in the workshop to feel and to see what happened so she could write an article. On a moment, Falou from Senegal would say something. And he asked for a translation from French to English. Marieke did it very quick and good and solved the language barrier for Falou and for us. Falou said touching things about the situation in his country (look to the second blog of David) and give us the imagine of the performance in his country on 17/10. With a procession through Dakar and working with a big childrens choir. But…. Falou said, it is really necessary that there will be a translation of the lyrics of the poverty requiem. Because the people in Senegal don’t speak and read English. After this statement Mirjam went to Falou, sat beside him, took the text book, and translated the whole requiem for him in two hours. And Falou understood from that moment much better the meaning of the libretto. I hope Mirjam and I can find some moments to fit the French words on the rhythm of the several parts, so Falou can start working with his people when he is home.

And Sylvia, she is a hero. She explained for the conductors, the meaning of making the requiem. She gave a very good insight in her passion and anger about the injustice of poverty in the world and how she succeeded to put that feeling in some text lines. Her approach is very moving and gave a intensification on the working on the poverty requiem in this workshop.