Which cannot forget... (2026)

Which cannot forget... - Reference Recording - Abraham Gomez

I grew up as an instrumentalist, and as such, vocal music always seemed alien to me. Then along came Aeschylus, and suddenly I knew what text I wanted to set for my first song.

Which cannot forget... is my first attempt at writing for this medium and being able to bring words I admire to life. I had previously set text in my chamber work Of Love's Wait, but there was no vocalist to recite it in that piano trio setting. Now, the quote of this Greek philosopher can be told through an orator of music.

These words were famously set forth by Robert F. Kennedy, after announcing the death of Martin Luther King Jr. to a crowd of listeners, urging them not to give into hate. In this way, he was tapping into a familar human experience : pain which teaches us an important lesson, whether we want it or not.

Considering similar pains that I (and everyone) have had to endure, these words came to resonante with me, and I find it appropriate for my first song to be about a very important and impactful part of my life. This collides with my recent fascinations into more modern music, so it's here I employ some sounds that have made themselves a part of my soundworld.

- Composer