While the composers in the sub-genre of orchestral-based
textural music seem unable to suspend time in their works as well as the best
artists in electronic sound do, their music does possess a harmonic complexity
and emotional immediacy only nascent in more ambient contemporary works. The
soundtrack to Alfonso Cuaron's film CHILDREN OF MEN (70'32") has as its
centerpiece the commissioned "Fragments of a Prayer" by John
Tavener. This, along with several other Tavener compositions, is
a powerful musical counterpoint to the motion picture, as well as
a beautiful and separate entity away from the imagery it was
designed to accompany. This soundtrack has a distinctive way of
working its way into scenes. Tavener's moving works of hope
seem ironic in this bleak futuristic sci-fi film. With themes based
in nihilism and hopelessness, CHILDREN OF MEN has
ingeniously been scored with a music based on the certitude of
faith. Incorporating heavenly choir, reverberant pipe organ,
atmospheric string ensemble and a solo voice that seems to
speak for all humanity, this music offers a unique sonic
consonance and a tenderness reserved for our most intimate
moments. This CD also includes music by Handel, Mahler (and
there is also a more rock influenced coinciding companion CD)
and Krzysztof Penderecki, whose "Threnody for the Victims of
Hiroshima" was used with amazing effect to score the intensity
of urban warfare. This meditative work truly augmented the
broken cityscape, the desperate attack and the doomed future
portrayed in this action driven battle scene. CHILDREN OF MEN
contains excellent examples of contemporary classical music
and is a bold statement on rising above conventional and
predictable soundtrack music. Will these works come to be an
elegy for mankind? A coda to our way of life? Or the prelude to a
new and better era? While most music heard on STAR'S END
questions our place in the cosmos, this soundtrack asks us to
look within our hearts and find a place for the universe inside
ourselves.

Tune in to STAR'S END this weekend for music from CHILDREN
OF MEN

For more on CHILDREN OF MEN, access:
http://www.varesesarabande.com

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STAR'S END - Kit Watkins

Kit Watkins is known primarily for his keyboard virtuosity with
Camel and Happy The Man, groups that helped to define the
progressive rock genre. Moving beyond the structured terrain of
of these bands, Watkins has explored a wide range of themes
and styles, from abstract drones to interpretations of classical
standards. Drawing on so many influences, Watkins has been
difficult to label. With each project, he expands into new genres
and adds diversity and character to his biography.

After a few years off from releasing music and 20 years away
from the live medium, Kit Watkins was lured from his quiet home
in Virginia to perform at The Gatherings Concert Series in
Philadelphia. Following the 10 March 2001 concert, Watkins
performed a live in-studio radio concert on the 03.11.01
broadcast of STAR'S END. Bringing just a minimal setup to the
radio station, Watkins played an hour-long ambient
improvisation. The piece was entitled MUSIC FOR THE END (of
stars) and combined environmental field recordings, synth pads
and an electronic wind controller all into a gentle drifting wash. In
mid-2001, a CD of Kit's 11 March 2001 concert for STAR'S END
was released. The CD is named MUSIC FOR THE END (of
stars) and contains the entire performance.

Tune into STAR'S END this weekend for works from MUSIC FOR
THE END by Kit Watkins, the live album recorded on the
03.11.01 broadcast.

For more on Kit Watkins, access: http://www.kitwatkins.com

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STAR'S END broadcasts every Saturday night/Sunday morning
from 1am-6am (EST) on:

88.5fm WXPN Philadelphia, PA
88.1fm WXPH Harrisburg, PA
90.5fm Worton/Baltimore, MD
104.9fm Allentown, PA

and live on the web...

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Chuck van Zyl
Host of STAR'S END Ambient Radio
http://www.starsend.org