del Águila - Blindfold Music

Written in 2021 jointly commissioned by Anima Mundi Productions, Chamber Music Northwest and Oregon Bach Festival for Imani Winds who premiered it 2022 at both festivals in Portland and Seattle.
Inspired by 2020’s political events triggered by social injustice, the work reflects on the concepts of law, justice and fairness in contemporary society. As in a 16th century morality play or allegorical drama, the characters here personify abstractions in order to deliver a moral, positive message. In this way, Blindfold Music portrays an imaginary meeting of two friends: Justice (the blind lady holding scales in one hand and a sword in the other); and Law (a man carrying a book and a gavel).
After a distant trumpet is heard, Law arrives to meet Justice who’s awaiting him. As Law’s conversation becomes dry and preachy, Justice accuses him of being rigid, subjective, and often misused by those in power. Law in term accuses Justice of being just a concept, subjective, emotional, abstract and unattainable as he affirms that there wouldn’t be Justice without Law.
As they try to impose their views on the other the tension climbs as they accuse, mock and finally scream at each other. Then, as they see through the window two mobs violently attacking each other, Law and Justice sadly realize that they are both imperfect and powerless as enduring justice and law comes from within each person and humans have not reached yet the altruistic state where the well-being of others is more important than that of the self. Thus, neither Law nor Justice can be solely imposed from above. It’s up to each person to fight injustice and pursue a more fair society.