Humanity

performers:

Musical Instrument Digital Interface

saxophone quartet

My composition “Humanity” was written during the summer of 2024, when I lived alone in Boston for two weeks before a composition intensive at Berklee School of Music. After a semester abroad in 2023, month-long sleepaway camp for the past 10 years, and my adventures in the east coast this past summer, I’ve noticed that my most authentic self comes out when I’m living independently. These times of my life become my most introspective, as I’m free to live the way I want, often questioning morality while also pursuing my dreams.

Living in Boston, I read constantly, including The Old Man and The Sea by Ernest Hemingway, and Notes From Underground by Fyodor Dostoevsky. I also visited countless museums, including the Museum of Fine Arts four days in a row, to make sure I saw every little exhibit. I was intrigued by the history and vast cultures the museum displayed. I specifically admired religious history and practices, especially as who Jew who has practiced transcendental meditation twice a day for the past two years. Living in Boston, I continued this practice, and developed other morals like feeding the homeless, writing music diligently each day, and prioritizing physical health. I acknowledged my growth, and came to the conclusion that if there was a purpose to existence, this would be it: to grow and learn, and constantly out-do the person I was yesterday.

My original name for this composition was “Growth”, based on my evident development as a human. Yet, since growth and knowledge is so essential and representative of our species, I named my piece “Humanity” to acknowledge the purity, naturality, and beauty in learning and growing. My title can be understood as a metaphor towards humanity within growth, advocating that adventure and education forge our species.

Considering my lack of access to a piano during this time, this is one of my few pieces that I wrote completely by ear. I am a strong advocate of simplicity, especially when three note voicings adequately express feelings of purity or relief. So while “Humanity” consists of simple melodies and harmonies, compared to my more complex and atonal compositions, I find simplicity is exactly what I needed during this time of my life. I encourage my audience to acknowledge their own humanity and celebrate it, whether it’s through growth, culture, love, or anxiety. I believe feeling human is the most honest feeling of all, and acknowledging this sensation is only beneficial and beautiful.