For Those Who Died Trying - An International Collaboration

ATMA Classique presents For Those Who Died Trying, the world premiere recording of The Thailand HRDs, an epic 35-movement string quartet by critically-acclaimed Canadian composer Frank Horvat, performed by New York City's Mivos Quartet, photographed by UK-born, Thai-based photographer, Luke Duggleby. The first public performance of The Thailand HRDs took place earlier this year in Toronto’s Mount Pleasant Cemetery in participation by Brussels-based human rights NGO, Protection International.
 
Each movement is inspired by the narrative behind Luke Duggleby’s photo essay For Those Who Died Trying, which pays homage to Human Rights Defenders in Thailand who were killed trying to stop powerful interests bent on destroying their community’s environment.


 
Following a Thai tradition, Duggleby traveled across Thailand placing a portrait of each Human Rights Defender at the place where they were murdered or went missing. Horvat used only the musical pitches/letters found in each victim’s name, weaving their unique musical DNA into every movement of The Thailand HRDs.

Mr. Som Hompornma and Mr. Tongnuan Kamjen were shot dead at the same time on the edge of a road leading to the town of Suwannakhuha in Nong Bua Lamphu Province on 22 April 1999. They were part of a group of villagers protesting the construction of a limestone quarry. (photo credit Luke Duggleby / Protection International)
 
"I'm grateful that so many wonderful partners randomly gathered from every corner of the planet to make the album, For Those Who Died Trying, a reality. I hope the music touches the hearts of listeners but also motivates them to delve deeper into making the world a better place for everyone," said Frank Horvat.
 
Frank Horvat’s music offers listeners the time and space to reflect in today’s fast-paced world. His compositions tell deeply personal stories while permitting audiences to ponder their own. Whether he writes for his band, the concert stage or film/TV, his music is both aggressive and introspective.
 
The New York City-based Mivos Quartet, an "accomplished, admirably broad-minded young string quartet" (New York Times), is devoted to performing the works of contemporary composers, and to presenting new music to diverse audiences. Since its inception, the quartet has collaborated closely with an ever-expanding cadre of international composers.

MIVOS QUARTET
NYC-based Mivos Quartet, one of America’s most daring and ferocious new-music ensembles (The Chicago Reader), is devoted to performing works of contemporary composers and presenting new music to diverse audiences. Since the quartet's beginnings in 2008 they have performed and closely collaborated with an ever-expanding group of international composers representing multiple aesthetics of contemporary classical composition. Their upcoming performances can be found at www.mivosquartet.com.

FRANK HORVAT
One of the most inventive songwriters to come out of the contemporary scene in Canada (WholeNote Magazine), this award-winning composer’s music explores a wide array of themes from love to social justice issues. Musically emotional and intense, Frank Horvat is an accomplished multi-genre composer and pianist who has made the tricky musical leap that allows him to pursue a niche of his own (Edmonton Journal). With a continuously growing discography and composition premieres on four continents, his works have been featured in plays, films, and on TV and radio networks internationally. Discover his latest projects at www.frankhorvat.com.

LUKE DUGGLEBY
An award-winning British freelance documentary and portrait photographer, Luke Duggleby has been based in Bangkok for over a decade. Traveling the globe yet focusing on Asia he undertakes assignments and works on personal projects all over the continent for many of the worlds most respected publications and NGOs. For Those Who Died Trying has been exhibited across Europe and Thailand including the UN Headquarters in Geneva and the European Parliament in Brussels and was the topic of a TEDx talk he gave in early 2018. His work can be viewed on www.lukeduggleby.com.

PROTECTION INTERNATIONAL
An international non-profit organization that supports human rights defenders at risk worldwide since 2004 they commissioned this string quartet and photo essay. Protection International works with local partners in over thirty countries, empowering defenders and demanding from those who have the responsibility to protect them to fulfill this obligation. Building upon a foundation of research, partnership, and fieldwork, Protection International finds durable solutions to protection issues and builds the capacity of defenders to manage their own protection effectively and holistically. Learn more about their work at www.protectioninternational.org.

Media contact: Michel Ferland
514 731-4297 # 205 | mferland@atmaclassique.com