that was composed in the winter of 1994-95 as part of The Compassion Project and dedicated to Edna Michell and Yehudi Menuhin.”
Michell, Menuhin’s protégé explains:
“In 1993, following recording sessions in the Czech Republic, Yehudi Menuhin and I were on the way to Vienna to catch flights to different destinations…Menuhin was despairing about the atrocities of the world …to change the mood, I came up with the idea of composers from around the world writing short works inspired by the theme of compassion…It struck a chord with Yehudi and he remained immersed in the project for the rest of his life.”
It was first performed by Michell and Ulf Hoescher and the Orchestra of St Luke’s (under the conductor Lukas Foss) on August 11, 1996, as part of a wide-ranging and extraordinary tribute concert.
Anthony Tommasini reviews the concert for the New York Times – here
“…There were works by the dynamic duo of Minimalism (Philip Glass and Steve Reich). Philip Glass’s ”Echorus” had the poet Allen Ginsberg reading his ”Sunflower Sutra” over softly churning strings, though Mr. Ginsberg’s amplified, impassioned delivery overwhelmed the gurgling accompaniment…”
Subsequent recording (for Compassion – A Tribute to Yehudi Menuhin (2001)) featured The Czech Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra, Michell and Hoescher, and a reading of “Wales Visitation”
That is the version that we present here .
Glass explains:
“The piece is in A-B-A form and appears as a chaconne. The soloists either play the chaconne or melodic parts suggested by the harmonic structure. The music is inspired by thoughts of compassion and is meant to evoke feelings of serenity and peace.”