The Lion of Panjshir
(Symphony No. 2) (2002-04)
for optional narrator and symphonic band
In memory of Ahmad Shah Massoud and 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
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
The following acknowledgements were inadvertently omitted
from the program:
Photographs of Massoud by Reza used by permission
Slide presentation produced by Donna Wiley