THE LION OF PANJSHIR
(Symphony No. 2)
for optional narrator and symphonic band
(2002-04)
In memory of Ahmad Shah Massoud
Dedicated to the people of Afghanistan
“I cannot imagine a more powerful mix of words, images, and music than The Lion of Panjshir. People who know nothing of Massoud or Afghanistan will be stunned by the sheer power of the composition, and people who are familiar with these topics will be reduced to tears. It is a tremendous piece of work.”
— Sebastian Junger
"Gaines has achieved a milestone in the canon of symphonic band literature with a substantial work that transcends cultural barriers."
— Washington Post
** For recordings, sheet music, media quotes, articles, and concert reviews related to The Lion Of Panjshir, scroll to the bottom of the site menu to the right.
World premiere performance:
11 February 2004
Friedberg Concert Hall/Peabody Conservatory of Music
Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Peabody Wind Ensemble
Dr. Harlan Parker, conductor
H. E. Haron Amin, narrator
Click here to download the concert program
The following acknowledgements were
inadvertently omitted from the program:
- Photographs of Massoud by Reza used by permission
- Slide presentation produced by Donna Wiley
"Now we are all Massoud" memorial
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