My Young Friend, for Bassoon and Piano
Music Composed by: Stefan L. Smith

00:00 (Performance Notes)
03:30 (My Young Friend - Start)

Andrew Brady, bassoon
*principal bassoonist of the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra
Vivian Fan, piano

World Premiere Live Performance:

April 9, 2022 - Thayer Hall
Colburn School - Los Angeles, CA

Video courtesy of the Colburn School.

Performance notes:

Based off of the poetry of Elvena Bowers, My Young Friend depicts a musical story of a close friend struggling to come to terms with his sexual identity.

Set in the musical landscape of the southern black church, it is a tone poem that describes the inner turmoil faced, and continues to be faced, by those in the lgbtq+ black community; specifically targeting the issue of accepting one’s identity, in fear of losing the ones you love.

As timely as this piece may seem, the setting of this poem is actually from the 1980s. An even more oppressive time for those struggling to be accepted for their queer identity(s) within the macro of society.

This commission reads:

Commissioned for Andrew Brady by The Colburn School, in remembrance of Elvena Bowers, for all those striving to be fully themselves.

Thank you Colburn for commissioning me to write this work, which I hope will enlighten, touch and bless others.

Many thanks to my boyfriend Ryan Goberdhan, and all of my friends/colleagues (live and livestream) who showed up to support us. I love each and every one of you! ❤️

Links:

Website:
http://stefanlsmith.com

Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/10jGX...

IG:
  / violanation  

Twitter:
  / violanation  

YouTube:
   / violanation  

Other links:
https://linktr.ee/StefanLSmith

Copyright © 2022 Colburn School, SLS Studios Publishing (ASCAP).