The Human Rights Foundation reports that more than half of the world lives under tyranny. Authoritarian governments often silence dissent as a means of establishing and maintaining power. Those who bravely speak out against their governments often face retaliation in the form of harassment, imprisonment, or even murder. In this composition, recordings were collected from individuals living under the threats of tyrannical regimes, as they speak of their aspirations and desires for their homelands. The megaphone, a tool commonly used in protests, serves as a symbol of the act of speaking out. I extend my deepest gratitude to all those who assisted in collecting and producing these recordings, whose anonymity is crucial for their safety.

Alvin Wong, alto saxophone; Grace Wong, piano

19 August, 2022

China Congregational Church, Hong Kong