CD Reviews
The Stonewall Society Review of the "Where I Live" CD
The Stonewall Society recently wrote the following review of this CD on their website. "Where I Live" is a beautiful recording of a commissioned work on the subject of Breast Cancer written by Diane Benjamin. An emotional and direct glimpse into those effected by the disease. Those effected ranging from victims being diagnosed to the very lonely and frustrated helpless state of the attendants. The goal was to create a piece which is widely accessible to various size of chorus. All was taken into account in this work of highly important music. The CD is a mix of song and spoken word beautifully combined. I doubt that any person with a heart could listen and not be touched by the sincerity and honesty of the work.
While the subject matter is weighty and emotionally difficult, the presentation is a testament to the survivors, victims and Denver Women's Chorus alike. Done with dignity and open approach, "Where I Live" hits home. The musical value of the CD is priceless. The wide range of emotions shown through lyric, spoken word, and excellent orchestration is incredible. All together form a thoughtful and brave statement of support. In an isolated look at just the musical content alone the work is astounding.
The CD is thirteen tracks strong, and I do mean strong. No stone is left unturned including the environmental causes of the disease. Musically there is a new age feel which transcends well with the oration of cancer patients and the seven choral songs. The music is just as compelling as the lyrics and oratory delivery. A beautiful work of female voice, which not only touches but enlightens. A definite must for all female or male listeners.
Excerpt from: Ladyslipper's Winter Music Catalog Published: Fall, 2000
This powerful and unusual 2000 release is a specially-commissioned oratorio about breast cancer, composed by Diane Benjamin. With music interspersed with spoken narration from sources such as Andre Lourde's The Cancer Journals, it's one of the most direct, frank, and moving works that has ever been recorded - essential listening for every woman, because this is a disease every woman will have to confront at some point, in friends or loved ones if not herself. They state: "Breast cancer is a disease that, by virtue of conversation or experience, can evoke great fear. It was our wish as a chorus to commission a piece that would speak to the frustration and insecurity of the illness as well as the courage and conciousness of the spirit that confronts it. It is our deepest hope that this work will speak to all breast cancer survivors, their families and loved ones, and to all of us that wonder what measure of courage we would be able to muster in the same situation." They fulfill their goal; highly recommended.
Excerpt from: Saint Paul Pioneer Press Published: Monday, November 6, 2000
Melodic `Where I Live' transcends its good intentions · Oratorio exposes the work of local activist, composer.
William Randall Beard Special to the Pioneer Press
Diane Benjamin is often in the news, but not as a composer. That is likely to change. On the basis of her latest work, the oratorio "Where I Live," her star is definitely ascending.
The composition, an exploration of women's experiences with cancer, was originally commissioned by the Denver Women's Chorus, which premiered it in 1999. Sunday night's performance at Temple Israel in Minneapolis, a benefit for the Women's Cancer Resource Center, was its local premiere.
Benjamin is most known in the Twin Cities as an activist. She is the director of Minnesota Kids Count, the Children's Defense Fund's yearly assessment of child welfare.
"Where I Live" allowed her to combine her growing national reputation as a choral composer with her social awareness. The oratorio juxtaposes the spoken stories of cancer patients with seven choral songs that vividly convey the emotional dimensions of the disease.
Diana Pierce, newscaster on KARE-11 TV, spoke the narration. She was most effective as she told the stories in a straightforward and simple manner. The audience was dominated by women, some of them cancer survivors. They were clearly moved by this piece.
But it was more than a work of good intentions. Benjamin is an engaging melodist, above all, writing effective tunes. Her music has a new-age flavor, but she is unwilling to settle for those musical cliches.
Whether the songs are detailing the horror of diagnosis, exposing the attendant loneliness or railing against the environmental causes contributing to cancer, her music is compelling and emotionally direct.
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