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Anatomy of Peace

Anatomy of Peace

The Anatomy of Peace was a famous book by Emery Reves which expressed the world federalist sentiments shared by Albert Einstein and many others in the late 1940s, in the period immediately following World War II.

The Dallas Symphony Orchestra performed a symphony by Marvin Hamlisch called The Anatomy of Peace on 19 November 1991.

The composer noted:

I decided that Reves's call for one law for us all could be defined by a simple, clear, plaintive theme, and that the orchestra would represent all the nations of the world and their different rules of law. The suite begins with the nations of the world in loud, cacophonous uproar. Suddenly, a solo flute introduces the "one Law" theme, beckoning to us all; one law bringing us all together. But each section of the orchestra (our world) initially resists the call, since old habits are hard to break. The brass and the woodwinds are first to display their dislike of this new idea. But the flute acts as a magnet and slowly its pull (its logic) is felt, first by the woodwinds. When the theme returns, it is not alone. The strings, a big part of our world, must now be convinced, and finally they are. Our theme is now given words, first introduced by a solo child, and then sung again by a children's chorus. Slowly the irresistibility of the idea begins to weave a spell on the orchestra and the penultimate section of the piece is a contemplative one, as the world thinks about what the new world order would be. Finally, Reves's dream is musically realized, as the entire orchestra accepts the "one Law" concept.

Child Soloist and Children's Chorus Lyrics

I

Some fear the world
They hear the dissonance
And say it always will be.

IV

And I believe
It’s not impossible
If we agree to one law.

II

I see the world
.As one community
That must be joined by one law.

V

Nation pride will cease
The world will live in peace.

III

One law for me
One law for all of us
That will unite us someday

VI

And I believe
It’s not impossible
For we are able to change.

Welcome Page

A Chorus Line

Anatomy of Peace

Tribute to Barbra (And The Way We Were)

Tribute to Liza (Liza at Carnegie Hall)

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Anatomy of Peace
Nations in uproar Nations and their laws
"One law" theme Nations being convinced Nothing
Peace from a child "Weaving a spell" The Music And The Mirror
The world thinking... World accepting "one law" concept

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2006 - 2008 Marvin Hamlisch, Inc.