A Memorial
51 lives lost to Covid.
51 lives remembered.
Elegy for those we lost – composed and performed by Aaron Jay Kernis.
Directed and Edited by Esther Shubinski
Produced by Many Trails Production
WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/imI_7F3Gq_Y
Message from Aaron Jay Kernis:
After experiencing a mild (but terrifying) case of Covid-19 last March – understanding from inside some of the most frightening aspects of the virus, I read a piece by Helen Ouyang in the The New York Times that truly exposed the terrible reality engulfing US hospitals and medical professionals, and the entire world. Reading more about the virus’s effect on Americans and their families, I began to work on a set of piano pieces. I strived to compose music to honor the dead and give some measure of solace to families through sharing a personal expression of grief. I was deeply affected by the inability of families to be with their loved ones at the time of their passing – having to mourn at a distance, usually without friends or relatives present.
I decided to commission a short film with one of the piano pieces, and discovered Esther Shubinski’s work, which shows a deep sensitivity to the everyday world of families along with a natural sense of musicality and musical phrasing. We crafted a call for submissions – home movies, photographs and mementos, and received materials from 51 families, all of whom are honored in this film. The piece and the film are titled Elegy for those we lost. Please take a moment to watch and share.
Stay well!
Aaron