Julia Wolfe: Fire in my mouth CD

UPC: 0028948186037

MPN: 0028948186037

Brand Name: Decca Gold

Overview

Experience the powerful and haunting world premiere recording of Julia Wolfe's monumental oratorio "Fire in my mouth," a profound musical memorial commemorating the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in New York City. This emotionally charged work, performed by the legendary New York Philharmonic under the baton of conductor Jaap van Zweden, features the extraordinary vocal forces of The Crossing (directed by Donald Nally) and the Young People's Chorus of New York City (directed by Francisco J. Núñez). Through four distinctive movements—Immigration, Factory, Protest, and Fire—Wolfe weaves together historical testimony, labor songs, and contemporary musical language to honor the 146 garment workers, mostly young immigrant women, who lost their lives in one of America's deadliest industrial disasters. This Decca Gold release captures the raw emotion and social justice themes that resonate powerfully with contemporary struggles for workers' rights, immigration reform, and gender equality, creating a deeply moving listening experience that transcends time.

Product Features

• Format: Audio CD, Classical Contemporary Recording
• Label: Decca Gold
• Conductor: Jaap van Zweden
• Orchestra: New York Philharmonic
• Vocal Ensembles: The Crossing (directed by Donald Nally), Young People's Chorus of New York City (directed by Francisco J. Núñez)
• Composer: Julia Wolfe
• Release Year: 2019
• Recording Type: World Premiere Recording
• Country of Origin: Made in the EU
• Genre: Classical, Contemporary Classical, Oratorio
• Movement Structure: Four-part composition (Immigration, Factory, Protest, Fire)
• Distributed by: Universal Music Group, Universal International Music B.V.
• Location: Gerrit Van Der Veenlaan 4, 3743 DN, Baarn, Netherlands
• Language: English with historical texts and labor songs

Interesting Facts

Julia Wolfe (born 1958) is a Pulitzer Prize-winning composer and co-founder of the legendary Bang on a Can collective, known for her fearless approach to contemporary classical music that merges minimalism, folk traditions, and rock energy. "Fire in my mouth," commissioned by the New York Philharmonic and premiered in 2019, represents one of her most ambitious and socially conscious works, drawing direct parallels between the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory tragedy and contemporary issues facing immigrant workers and women in the workforce.

The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire occurred on March 25, 1911, in Manhattan's Greenwich Village, when a devastating blaze trapped workers on the eighth, ninth, and tenth floors of the Asch Building. Most victims were Jewish and Italian immigrant women aged 14 to 23 who worked in sweatshop conditions for as little as six dollars per week. The factory owners had locked exit doors to prevent unauthorized breaks and theft, leading to workers jumping from windows or being consumed by flames. This tragedy became a watershed moment in American labor history, galvanizing the labor movement and leading to comprehensive workplace safety reforms that transformed labor laws across the United States.

Wolfe's composition incorporates primary source materials including survivors' testimonies, newspaper accounts, and period labor songs, creating a multimedia experience that honors individual voices while addressing universal themes of exploitation, resilience, and the immigrant experience. The work's title comes from the testimony of survivor Rose Schneiderman, a labor organizer who declared, "I would be a traitor to these poor burned bodies if I came here to talk good fellowship...too much blood has been spilled."

The New York Philharmonic, founded in 1842, is one of the oldest symphony orchestras in the United States and has championed contemporary composers throughout its history. Dutch conductor Jaap van Zweden served as the orchestra's music director from 2018 to 2024, bringing passionate interpretations of both canonical and contemporary repertoire. The Crossing, founded in 2005, is a professional chamber choir specializing in new music and has won multiple Grammy Awards for their innovative recordings. The Young People's Chorus of New York City, established in 1988 by Francisco J. Núñez, has become internationally renowned for its commitment to diversity and musical excellence, performing with major orchestras worldwide.

Decca Gold, a prestigious imprint of Decca Records (established 1929), focuses on exceptional classical recordings that showcase artistic excellence and historical significance. This release represents a crucial document of 21st-century American classical music addressing social justice themes through the lens of historical tragedy.

Movement Structure:

I. Immigration
II. Factory
III. Protest
IV. Fire

Publishers

Label: Decca Gold
Copyright: © 2019 New York Philharmonic (under exclusive license to UMG Recordings, Inc.)
Phonographic Copyright: ℗ 2019 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Distributed by: Universal Music Group
Manufacturing: Universal International Music B.V., Gerrit Van Der Veenlaan 4, 3743 DN, Baarn, Netherlands
Made in: European Union
Hungarian Distribution: Universal Music Kft., 1145 Budapest, Hermina út 17, Tel: 801-8300
Composer: Julia Wolfe
Conductor: Jaap van Zweden
Orchestra: New York Philharmonic
Choral Director (The Crossing): Donald Nally
Choral Director (Young People's Chorus of NYC): Francisco J. Núñez
Official Websites: DECCAGOLD.COM, NYPHIL.ORG

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