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

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