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Reena Esmail

Composer

America/Desh

March 31, 2021 by

Program Notes

This arrangement intertwines “America the Beautiful” with a melody in Raag Desh (from the Hindustani classical tradition of India). Desh means ‘country’ in Hindi (the reason why South Asians often refer to themselves as ‘desi’ – meaning ‘of the country’. It implies a unity that precedes Partition, and acknowledges that there was a time where India, Pakistan and Bangladesh were not divided into separate countries, as they are now.)

The “America the Beautiful” of India is called Vande Mataram. Just like America the Beautiful, it also celebrates these beautiful, varied landscapes, in a vast country filled with so many natural treasures. Vande Mataram is, unsurprisingly, in Raag Desh.

For immigrants, the love of country is often as much for America as for their country of origin, and I hope this arrangement evokes a sense of multi-national pride, especially among the ever-growing population of South Asians living in America.

Recording

Forthcoming: July 2021

Audio Guide

The melody that intertwines with America the Beautiful in this variation is in Raag Desh. Many beautiful renditions of the raag can be found online by Indian classical artists.

This particular melody comes from the second movement of Reena’s Piano Trio:

Premiere/Performances

Virtual premiere will take place in July 2021. View the America/Beautiful project site here.

Press/Reviews

Article about the Project:

Min Kwon Speaks on the Dream of America – San Francisco Classical Voice

Five Questions to Min Kwon (pianist America/Beautiful) – I Care If You Listen

This piece is not yet available for sale

Instrumentation: piano

Duration: 3′

Year: 2020

Movements: 1

Commissioned by: Min Kwon

Program Notes

Recording

Special Performance Requirements

Audio Guide (for performers)

Premiere/Performances

Press/Reviews

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