Towers of Light by Robert Wendel

it evokes strong, bittersweet memories of coworkers I lost on9/11

Richard

I, Synthesist - "Red Clouds"

I was in NYC on 9/11, and witnessed the destruction from the window of my Brooklyn apartment. Years later I came across this song, which is one of the most vivid musical evocations of that day I've heard. In a electropop idiom, it captures the urgency and disorientation of what that world-changing day felt like to me.

The musician behind I, Synthesist, Chris Ianuzzi, has a long, if somewhat obscure, history in the downtown NYC music scene going back to 1980 (he played with Mann Parrish, The Puppets, and various other bands before becoming a solo artist). He clearly has a lot of love and passion for this city and what it went thru on 9/11/2001.

Here's a link to the song on the I, Synthesist Myspace page:

http://www.myspace.com/isynthesist/music/songs/red-clouds-26986130

Max Clarke

Adagio for Strings; Samuel Barber

As Johanna Keller of the NY Times thoughtfully explained "[i]f any music can come close to conveying the effect of a sigh, or courage in the face of tragedy, or hope, or abiding love, it is this." An Adiago for Strings, and for the Ages, Johanna Keller, NY Times, 3.5.2010.

Jared K

Louis Armstrong

Authentic American music. I remember feeling so overwhelmed by 9/11 and I took great comfort in and sought out American music. American roots music. Bluegrass, Blues, Johnny Cash, Ray Charles and Satchmo. The world changed so drastically that day and the change has continued, this music helps me feel grounded while the changes swirl.

Larry Nathanson

"The Playground" by Tony Bennett

In simple sounds and touching language, the song represents a sweet innocence that children naturally understand and adults yearn for.

Ann

Moment Away

Dana has a beautiful song and is sincere in what she says and believes.

R Thomas

Michel Redolfi underwater music

I first heard Redolfi's compositions underwater on your New Sounds show. The dreamlike, ethereal quality would, in my mind, make it the perfect selection to allow people to enter more deeply into their own thoughts on that day and what has transpired since.

As an aside, I was unable to find Redolfi's music anywhere, and I ended up contacting him directly. He sent me two CDs, and I created some artwork and sent it to him in France!

Carol Davis

On the Transmigration of Souls by John Adams

It is the only music that I know of that was inspired by the events of 9/11.

Sonya Fry

GREEK ORTHODOX CHANT FOR MEMORIAL SERVICES

Dear Sir/Madam:
There is a chant to give MEMORy to the deceased by the Greek Orthodox Church. You can find it on youtube, or you may contact the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese. I beleive this is appropriate because there were many Greek American who perished on 9/11 and St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church was destroyed that day. Please look for this chant and play it for the Greek Americans that perished. May the repose of their souls be eternal. Christine Nikolis

Christine Nikolis

Island of Hope, Island of Tears by Ronan Tynan

A few days after 9/11, on Sunday, I attended a mass at the St Martin Of Tours Catholic church in Bushwick, Brooklyn. I was keeping company with the families and members of FDNY's Squad 252 that had lost a group of its members. My husband was a member of 252 and a survivor.

The Mayor, the Archbishop and other VIPs attended the mass. Whatever was said, I can't remember. Everything is blured as we were all in shock. The only thing that stays with me to this day is the music. I remember Ronin Tynan singing with the chorus of the local Catholic school Amazing Grace, Ave Maria, God Bless America, etc. And, as everybody was exiting the church I heard for the first time the Ellis Island hymn Island of Hope Island of Tears.

Island of Hope, Island of Tears will always remind me of that time.

Joelle Ballonzoli

"O vos omnes", setting either by Carlo Gesualdo or Tomas da Victoria

The image from the Lamentations of the Prophet Jeremiah over the destruction of Jerusalem is a moving image of the sorrow so many of us experienced when the World Trade Center was destroyed and so many thousands perished. Both Victoria and Gesualdo set the "O vos omnes" twice; any of these four versions would be appropriate to commemorate our city's great loss.

Isaac Lambertsen

"Grace" sung by Anthony Kearns of the Irish Tenors

Although this song is actually about a prisoner who is about to be executed, when I listened to it by chance, maybe the day after 911, it transformed into a song about a fireman trapped in the World Trade Center. It makes me cry every time I hear it now.

Sara Blumenstein

"Mars" from Gustav Holst's "The Planets"

The machine-like 5/4 rhythm of this section of "The Planets" evokes for me the steely determination of the people of New York (and of America in general) to resist and arm ourselves against any further attack by those who wish us ill.

isaac Lambertsen

ghosts of love by Nohman

always rembering the victims of 9/11

C Puskas

towers of light by robert wendel

This is an amazing piece by a NEW YORK CITY composer.

dana

Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters by Elton John

To me, this song expressed the deeply sad feeling of being in New York after the towers fell; the sense that something had been lost that could never be reclaimed.

Jill

Commemoration

I first heard this music on Memorial Day while watching ABC. I really evoked feelings of memory... I just wanted to remember my father (who died in service)

It's one that really makes you look inward, and feel that connection to people you've lost. It's respectful, emotional, and moving. I highly recommend it.

I looked up the composer. It's listed as Robert Wendel.

Tom Coleman

Requiem by Johannes Brahms

In the fall of 2001, a special memorial concert was presented by the New York Philharmonic and the New York Choral Artists, conducted by Kurt Mazur. I sat in my living room and listened to the whole thing. The music, the text, the attention of the audience (almost no coughing!), and the extended period of silence at the end of the concert moved me deeply. I cried like a baby. It helped me considerably in my mourning for the three-thousand.

I know some of the professional singers and a cellist who were a part of this program. I have never heard this chorus or this orchestra perform with such commitment, emotion, skill, and beauty as they did in this concert.

If this concert was recorded, please pursue rebroadcasting that recording.

May we always remember the three-thousand, and may we always find catharsis and comfort through the music we perform and to which we listen.

Mark Victor Smith

Aaron Copland's Quiet City

It creates an atmosphere unique to New York, which I feel is in the spirit of the commemoration.

Jo

Jenkins; Benedictus from "the Armed Man:A Mass for Peace

The Peace and quiet attained when this life ends. The calm is interrupted by
the blurting out of the "Hosanna in excelsis," the recognition of having acquired a higher life, and then there is calm again.

Bob Antczak