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Bertolt Brecht appears on 30 November 1947 before the House Un-American Activities Committee, with Chief Investigator Robert E. Stripling and Chairman J. Parnell Thomas. Brecht's plays in Germany had protested the Nazis, and he feared persecution so left, spending some of his time in the US and writing for Hollywood.

This track focuses on the melody in the conversation, framing the speech as music by accompanying it to enhance perception of the melody.

lyrics

Robert Stripling: Mr. Brecht, is it true that you have written a number of very revolutionary poems, plays, and other writings?
Brecht: I have written a number of poems and songs and plays in the fight against Hitler and, of course, they can be considered, therefore, as revolutionary because I, of course, was for the overthrow of that government.
Thomas: Mr. Stripling, we are not interested in any works that he might have written advocating the overthrow of Germany or the government there.
Stripling: Yes, I understand. Well, from an examination of the works which Mr. Brecht has written, particularly in collaboration with Mr. Hanns Eisler, he seems to be a person of international importance to the Communist revolutionary movement… I would like to ask Mr. Brecht whether or not he wrote a poem-a song, rather-entitled, "Forward, We've Not Forgotten."
McDowell: "Forward" what?
Stripling: "Forward, We've Not Forgotten." our union in hunger and pain, no matter what may threaten, forward, we've not forgotten We have a world to gain. We shall free the world of shadow; every shop and every room, every road and every meadow, All the world will be our own. Did you write that, Mr. Brecht?
Brecht: No. I wrote a German poem, but that is very different from this. (Laughter.)
Stripling: Are you now or have you ever been a member of the Communist Party of any country?
Brecht: Mr. Chairman, I have heard my colleagues when they considered this question not as proper, but I am a guest in this country and do not want to enter into any legal arguments, so I will answer your question fully as well I can. I was not a member, or am not a member, of any Communist Party.
Thomas: Your answer is, then, that you have never been a member of the Communist Party?
Brecht: That is correct.

credits

from Stalin's Piano, released May 17, 2019
Robert Davidson, composer, editor, engineer
Sonya Lifschitz, pianist

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Sonya Lifschitz & Robert Davidson Brisbane, Australia

Sonya Lifschitz' bold adventurousness & unparalleled musicianship, described as “a life force of extraordinary density and capacity” see her active as soloist, collaborator, artistic director, educator, radio personality and arts advocate.

Robert Davidson has been making music from language since childhood. With his ensemble Topology he explores a wide range of cross-genre collaboration. ... more

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