(The progress Initiative pride flag was created by Daniel Quasar
and is used with his permission)

“The Commanded Heart” was commissioned by Unison Choruses Canada for the “Open Harbour” Festival in 2023. It illuminates the “LGBT Purge” directed by the Canadian government throughout the military and civil service from the mid-1940s to the mid-1990s.

Canadian poet, Ben Berg, created a first-person narrative based on the lives of people who experienced the Purge first-hand. The text of the poem is sung by the main chorus; soloists interject observations, thoughts, feelings and questions in response to the text.

Our thanks go to Jean-Baptiste Roux for collaborating with us to create the French translation. Special thanks also go to Patricia Abbott for her French mentoring and choral editing contributions.

PERFORMANCE NOTES

SOLOISTS

If multiple soloists are available, each solo can be performed by a different person. This helps to illustrate the widespread effect of the purge on many people. A single soloist, or small number of soloists can also be used.

If soloists are not available, the conductor may choose to use a small group singing the solo parts together. This will provide contrast between the main poem and the interjected comments.

FESTIVAL SCORE

The abbreviated festival score was written to meet the 5-minute time requirement for the Festival’s Gala concert premier. The lyrics alternate between English and French.

FULL-LENGTH CONCERT SCORE

The full-length concert score includes the complete text and music, with a performance time of 7 and a half minutes. The lyrics alternate between English and French.

ENGLISH-ONLY and FRENCH-ONLY VERSIONS

Conductors and Artistic Directors may choose to program versions that are English or French throughout.

https://lgbtpurgefund.com/singing-the-story-of-the-purge

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Poem © 2023 by Ben Berg
Music © 2023 by D. Geoffrey Bell

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