My Manifesto and Me for two saxophonists

Christopher Dietz

158 views

2017

9 min.

Saxophone

Program Notes: My Manifesto and Me maintains the structure of the well-known Rifleman’s Creed (see Kurick’s 1987 film, Full Metal Jacket) but changes much of the content. Most significantly, “my rifle” becomes “my Manifesto”. Just as the rifle is treated like something that takes life to save life in the Creed, an object that is almost human, “my Manifesto” is portrayed as something that one uses to protect themselves, justify attacking others, maintain narrowmindedness, and to define exclusivity. The “Manifesto” is simply any set of strongly held beliefs that will not change, regardless of what the available alternatives offer. In performance, the saxophone players speak the text in the role of true believers, reinforcing their love for the undefined “Manifesto” through compulsive, emphatic musical gestures and self-convinced vocal proclamations.