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On Freedom (soundtrack)

by John Oliver

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about

This is a special stereo release of the original 4-channel "tape part" for the work "On Freedom," written for violin, classical guitar and 4-channel "tape." The only difference between this track and the audio heard when the work is performed by Duo46, for whom it was written, is the omission of silences.

I release this track on November 4, 2023 in advance of Remembrance Day, when we are reminded of the horrors of war, and the sacrifices citizens make in the name of defending their country. My work chronicles some of the misleading explanations various US presidents have made for going to war, and the stories of those who have rejected them.

“On Freedom” is an essay in sound. We hear the word freedom all the time. But what is it? American citizens have been told, when they go to war, that they are "defending freedom." But is this truly always the case?

Since President Johnson’s invasion of South-east Asia without a declaration of war, the hope for a peaceful future that was expressed in the founding of the United Nations has been betrayed again and again by governments of the United States of America acting in their own interest as policeman to the world. Resistance by Americans to the wars of their governments requires tremendous fortitude. This music is dedicated to them: to their idealism, to their sacrifice, and to their courage.

Special thanks to Bob Schneider for introducing me to Matt and Beth, and to Michael Juk, CBC producer, and the CBC for commissioning the work. Thanks also to those who supported and inspired this work, including Norman Solomon, Wayne Morse, Barbara Lee, Alan Rinehart, & Canadian philosopher Charles Taylor. Voices and sounds used with permission and gratitude to Norman Solomon & Loretta Alper (War Made Easy, The Movie), Erich Schmidt (CBC Archives), Americanrhetoric.com, the Freesounds Project. Software by Stefan Smulovitz (Kenaxis), Ableton (LIVE), Native Instruments (various sound synthesis software) and Sibelius (notation software).

“On Freedom” was commissioned by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation for Duo46 (Matt Gould and Beth Schneider), who first performed the work at St. Stephen's Angilican Church, Calgary, Canada on April 5, 2008 at the invitation of the Calgary Classical Guitar Society.

The work is dedicated to Alan Rinehart, who provided the interview about his coming to Canada to avoid the draft. Alan is also a fine classical guitarist.

credits

released November 4, 2023
Composition, editing, mixing, mastering © John Oliver 2023

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John Oliver Vancouver, British Columbia

electronic and soundscape music projects, ranging from classic musique concrète, to granular synthesis, and dark ambient. My instrumental and vocal music appears on several other labels and compilations. See my web site for details.

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