THIS IS AMERICA - Artistic Expression in Reaction to 9/11
By Jerilyn Watson

Broadcast: Monday, September 06, 2004

WRITER: "Hey, it's okay. Maybe I can help. I've never written a eulogy before, but I've written some speeches. How many did you say there were?"

FIRE CAPTAIN: "Eight."

WRITER: "Eight!"

FIRE CAPTAIN: "Eight men. I lost eight men."

VOICE TWO:

In Washington, the Library of Congress is showing a collection of posters related to Nine-Eleven. One of these posters is formed from images of the victims. It shows the Twin Towers with a burst of yellow light between the buildings.

The poster by Alex Spektor is called "The Sun." But the light could also represent the fires of Nine-Eleven or a spiritual effect.

VOICE ONE:

Some songs about Nine-Eleven express anger. Other express pride in America. Still others describe conditions during or after the attacks.

Bruce Springsteen wrote "Empty Sky." The name comes from the days immediately after Nine-Eleven when all but military flights were grounded.

((CUT TWO: BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN, "EMPTY SKY" CDP 25546A, Band Six, beginning at about 0:57 to 1:58))

VOICE TWO:

The New York Philharmonic Orchestra asked the composer John Adams to write a piece in memory of Nine-Eleven. Mister Adams won a Pulitzer Prize for this work. The names of victims, and some of their final words, are heard over the music.

The piece is called "On the Transmigration of Souls."

(MUSIC)

VOICE ONE:

A recording of "On the Transmigration of Souls" by composer John Adams is being released to mark the third anniversary of Nine-Eleven.

(MUSIC)

VOICE TWO:

Our program was written by Jerilyn Watson and produced by Caty Weaver. And our e-mail address is special@voanews.com. I'm Steve Ember.

VOICE ONE:

And I'm Gwen Outen. Please join us again next week for THIS IS AMERICA in VOA Special English.