Sophia
Herzog Sachs
Sophia died on July 25, 2005. In spite of incredible life challenges, Sophia brought an abundance of joy and wisdom to so many who entered her 'garden'.
Sophia suffered from a severe neurologic
disease, called Niemann-Pick Type-A,
for which there is no known cure,
and which usually leads to death by 2 to
3 years of age. Thanks to the loving care of family, friends and community, Sophia lived a rich and amazing life for over 4 years.
Niemann-Pick disease is
characterized by the inability of
a specific gene to express correctly
and synthesize an essential metabolic
enzyme called Acid Sphingomyelinase
(ASM).
Music for
"Sophia's Garden" was created
by translating the genetic instructions
from the gene that codes for the
synthesis of ASM into information
that can be used by various synthesizers
and other types of musical instruments.
In this way the genetic sequences
have become the themes and motifs
for the music.
For the final selection of the
CD, I recorded the sounds of Sophia's
voice so that she could "sing along"
with the music. All of the musical
sounds and the sound effects on
this selection were derived from
the recorded sounds of Sophia's
voice. These sounds were then correlated
to the genetic instructions via
the same method as in the other
pieces on the CD.
Intentions
My intention was to create music
that would lend some nurturing element
to Sophia's daily experience. I
have tried to capture what I think
are the most delightful aspects
of SophiaÕs essence and to reflect
them musically. As a composer, this
has allowed me to extract myself
from the process and focus very
clearly on musical expression.
To some extent, I am cognizant
of the genomic aspect of the music
and am trying to reflect my impression
of what gene expression might sound
like musically. But more predominant
has been a sense of what I perceive
to be Sophia's essence.
I have also had the opportunity
to observe wonderful outpourings
of loving care by so many whose
lives have been touched by Sophia.
This gives me a sense of Sophia's
Garden as a kind of virtual space
where one can be inspired to function
in a truly selfless manner.
Music for Sophia's Garden is dedicated
to Sophia Herzog-Sachs. It is the
first in the Genetic Expressions
series.
Creating
Genetic Expressions
Proteins are among the most important,
and diverse, functional components
of living organisms. Through each
generation, proteins are passed
on by encoding the instructions
to make them, in DNA, the molecule
of life.
Each protein is encoded by a gene,
which is a short stretch of the
DNA molecule. DNA is a double stranded,
helical, molecule, constructed of
only four simple molecules or bases.
Proteins are composed of sequences
of 20 types of amino acids. 3 bases,
called a codon, are needed to define
each amino acid and the accompanying
instructions to start and stop reading
the gene.
When a gene is activated to make
a protein, it is called expression,
hence the name Genetic Expressions
for this series. This music was
created by translating the sequence
of genetic instructions into information
that can be used by various music
synthesizers and similar musical
instruments. The sequences of "musical
events" determine the themes, and
motifs for the compositions in the
Genetic Expressions series.
- Herb Moore
Read more about Story
of the Gene Music