Symphony No. 1 (In Memoriam, Dresden, 1945)

Daniel Bukvich

Presented by Mr. Sierakowski (2007)

West Aurora High School Symphonic Band

Grade 4

History of this composition Written as Mr. Bukvich’s master’s thesis dealing

with contemporary notation (1978). Wanted to use non-traditional sounds for the

concert band setting. This composition launched Mr. Bukvich’s career

as a band composer. The piece depicts allied bombing on the city of

Dresden, Germany on February 13-14, 1945

More information Based on a famous chord used by Duke

Ellington -- C, Db, E, G Harmonic & melodic ideas are used with these

notes.

Where is Dresden, Germany?

Before the Bombing 1920’s was the world focus in fine and

visual arts. Saxon State Opera Orchestra Dresden State Art Collections Baroque and Renaissance architecture Second largest city

I. Prologue This movement establishes the mood of

impending disaster and presents the thematic material upon which the rest of the piece is based.

II. Seeds in the Wind The title of this movement refers to the

method of "seeding" the bomb target with jellied gasoline and incendiaries. The movement portrays the fury of the bombing attack.

III. Ave Maria The material in this movement reflects upon

the religious and artistic heritage of Dresden and becomes a prayer for the victims of the attack.

IV. Fire Storm In this movement, the

sounds of the "Fire Storm" are recreated. Musically, the last movement serves as a resolution to the tension built up in the previous three movements.

Listening to the Recording

The Story Rationale for Bombings The Attacks Firestorm "Feuersturm"

More Pictures

Air Raid Totals (2 Raids) ~ 7,000 high explosive bombs ~ 4,500 “J-bombs” ~ 400,000+ incendiaries ~ 25,000-35,000 lives lost in the raids,

majority civilians

Psychological Warfare Bombers also dropped bundles and

bundles of psychological leaflets Fake ration cards

Example Leaflet

Personal Reminiscences Collected “The firestorm [was] incredible, there [were] calls

for help and screams from somewhere but all around [was] one single inferno… suddenly, I saw people again, right in front of me. They scream[ed] and gesticulate[d] with their hands, and then — to my utter horror and amazement — I [saw] how one after the other they simply seem to let themselves drop to the ground. Today I know that these unfortunate people were the victims of lack of oxygen. They fainted and then burnt to cinders.”

Another Reminiscence “We saw the burning street, the falling ruins and the

terrible firestorm. My mother covered us with wet blankets and coats she found in a water tub. We saw terrible things: cremated adults shrunk to the size of small children, pieces of arms and legs, dead people, whole families burnt to death, burning people ran to and from, burnt coaches filled with civilian refugees, dead rescuers and soldiers, many were calling and looking for their children and families, and fire everywhere, everywhere fire, and all the time the hot wind of the firestorm threw people back into the burning houses they were trying to escape from.”

Dresden Today Since the re-unification of Germany (1990) Trying to regain cultural importance

Frauenkirche

1880 2006

Dresden Today Scars of the attacks still exist

Related information Berlin/Hamburg bombings Leaflets are still used in today’s war War Crime? The end of the war Would this happen today?

Resources Cited No Author (2007). Bombing of Dresden in World War II. Retrieved February 15, 2007, from

Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia Website: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombing_of_Dresden_in_World_War_II

No Author (2007). Dresden Frauenkirche. Retrieved February 19, 2007, from Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia Website: en.wikipedia.org/wiki

/Dresden_Frauenkirche#Destruction No Author (2007). Dresden. Retrieved February 13, 2007, from Wikipedia: The Free

Encyclopedia Website: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dresden No Author (2007). Bombing of Hamburg in World War II. Retrieved February 19, 2007, from

Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia Website: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombing_of_Hamburg_in_World_War_II

No Author (2007). Bombing of Berlin in World War II. Retrieved February 19, 2007, from Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia Website: en.wikipedia.org/wiki

/Bombing_of_Berlin_in_World_War_II Irving, D. (2005). Apocalypse 1945: The Destruction of Dresden. London: Parforce UK Ltd. Bukvich, D. (2002). Symphony No. 1: In Memoriam, Dresden, 1945. Retrieved February 13,

2007, from Bukvich Music Website: www.bukvichmusic.com/comp/symphonyno1/index.asp

Bukvich, D. (1981). Symphony No. 1: In Memoriam, Dresden, Germany, 1945 [Score]. Pennsylvania: Wingert-Jones Music.