"Paroxysm" for Chamber Ensemble (2022) by Xander Benham

"Paroxysm" for Chamber Ensemble (2022) by Xander Benham.
Performed by the @nachtlichtensemble7735
Flute
Violin
Soprano/Alto Saxophone
Tenor Saxophone
Tenor Trombone
Drum-set
Piano
Electric Guitar
Double Bass
"Make music not war."
"Music is a language that requires no translation."
"Paroxysm" - The sudden outburst or attack of an emotion or activity.
Throughout the score the story of the forgotten football disaster in Sittard (The Netherlands) in November 1944, killing eleven people in a brutal and unexpected grenade attack during WWII, will be told.
The music depicts the events that took place on this day programatically and then fantastically. Follow the story and the instructions as you play, try to re-tell the story and relay the emotions.
You join in the middle of a football game, as part of a last minute tournament to raise funds for those in need in The Netherlands, thousands of excited spectators, the war was nearly over, these were good times, let's join the action.
Still during the game, imagine watching it in slow motion, how beautiful is it? What a spectacle, imagine the excitement, tension, joy, fun, happiness...
Suddenly a whooshing sound was heard and people dropped to the ground, shells and grenades hit the field, impacts were heard in the city centre nearby, this was terrifying, unexpected and would lead to deaths...
The weapons have stopped. There is a strange silence. It is hard to comprehend what has just happened. This is the realisation and the realness of that moment, thinking back to the good times only just before, and what the game has now become...
You think back to the game and your feelings about it have somewhat changed and you're now fearful and very sad.
The lament begins. This final section is a passionate expression of grief and sorrow. A dedication to those who's lives were lost or had to endure the things that happened on this terrible day. Imagine arriving at the football gound after the attack and slowly entering to find it completely silent and several bodies lying on the ground in the field. As you walk past them and through the ground you feel sadder and sadder, imagine panning out slowly to look at the bigger picture. It is tragic.
Your Pianist and Composer,
Xander Benham.

[@jasonsullivann]

Excellent job all around👍

[@ashishvarughese9930]

This is so beautiful! Well done!