In my quest to give concerts for every occasion and purpose, I have long wanted to pay a musical tribute to September 11, 2001. It was a day that changed my life, for I was in Manhattan for a morning staff meeting that got sidetracked by the fall of the twin towers. I documented my journey in consecutive Bon Journal entries and referred and acknowledged in subsequent years.
How does one select the music for 9/11?
Anne Ku at Roselani Place, Kahului, Maui
Unlike world events such as the Tiananmen Square uprising, the Fall of the Berlin Wall, and the women’s protest against Pinochet’s regime, there was no “Ode to Joy” sung at 9/11. It was a discrete event, a sudden shock to the system that left our psyche shaken and confused. Our world was never the same after that day.
The list of songs that have been inspired by the events of 9/11 is long. Alan Jackson’s “Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning” is a poignant song that many of us can relate to, i.e. raising question marks with no answers.
Similarly, plenty of concert tributes such as the nine unforgettable performances ensure we won’t forget that fateful day. What emerges from such gatherings are timeless songs of hope and humanity.
My set list for this one-hour concert on Friday September 11th at 5 pm at Roselani Place on Maui comprised the following pieces. First, seeing the residents hadn’t quite finished dinner in the other room, I addressed the nonresidents who had arrived early, with warm-ups of Tong Hua (Guang Liang) and All of Me (John Legend).
- Dawn – from “Pride and Prejudice” – Dario Marianelli
- Chanson de Matin by Edward Elgar
- Try to Remember from “The Fantasticks”
- Improvisation on three memorable and timeless songs by the Beatles:
- Yesterday
- Imagine
- Let It Be
- Both Sides Now – Joni Mitchell
- What a Wonderful World & Can’t Help Falling in Love
- You Raise Me Up by Graham and Lovland
At this point, one of the ladies in the audience requested “God Bless America” to which I responded first with Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA.”
God Bless the USA by Lee Greenwood
and then followed with her request.
God Bless America by Irving Berlin
- Hero by Mariah Carey and Walter Afanasieff
- The Stars and Stripes Forever by John Philip Sousa
- This Land is Your Land (1940)
- Encores:
- Amazing Grace
- Aloha Oe
As usual, I had over prepared. I didn’t get to play any of the following pieces. Hopefully there will be an occasion to share them in the future.
- My Way
- Que Sera, Sera
- Over the Rainbow
- Fly Me to the Moon
- America by Paul Simon
- Marine’s Hymn
- Theme from Dynasty
- Jurassic Park Theme
- Ashokan Farewell
- The Homecoming
- One Moment in Time
- Theme from “New York, New York”
- Bridge Over Troubled Water
- In the Still of the Night
- When I Fall in Love