Al Hisár, for Viola

Al-Hisar, (Arabic for 'The Siege') was intended, primarily, as a tribute to the civilian population of Iraq who, in the recent past underwent extreme suffering as a direct consequence of the effects of the US led United Nations (UN) sanctions. Al-Hisar was also intended as an expression of my sorrow at the destruction and plunder of Iraq's archaeological sites during the Gulf War of 1991. This tragic loss of heritage was intensified by the UN embargo, which prevented scientists from visiting Iraq's treasured archaeological sites. Furthermore, as there was little money to preserve and protect priceless remains, thousand-year-old structures were abandoned. Clay bricks with cuneiform writing on them from the era of Nebuchadrezzar, lay strewn in the sand. It was also my intention, in al-Hisar, to pay tribute to the countless victims of Saddam Hussein's brutal, repressive regime. These include the thousands of Kurds he massacred, as well as the numerous civilians who have been tortured and killed by his Ba'ath party for political reasons.

Viola solo

• Ewald · Directory «Musik für Bratsche», CH, 2013 • Viola Music by Underrepresented Composers

• Australian Music Centre, 2001