MUSIC : ‘Fire Water Paper’: Elements of War

Two years in the making, Elliot Goldenthal’s musical memorial to the human suffering of the Vietnam War will premiere Wednesday at the Orange County Performing Arts Center in Costa Mesa. The work, commissioned and played by the Pacific Symphony under the direction of Carl St.Clair, repeats April 27 at the center.

The working title of the piece, “A Song of Healing,” has given way to the final title: “Fire Water Paper: A Vietnam Oratorio.”

“ ‘Fire’ has an obvious meaning in terms of the conflagration of war and is a powerful image of the Vietnam War,” according to notes provided by the 40-year-old composer, who is completing the project in his New York home.

“ ‘Water,’ which extinguishes fire, is a symbol of redemption, and also represents the journey of the Vietnamese boat people as well as being the element that separates Vietnam from the United States.

“ ‘Paper’ represents the thoughts and emotions of those who were involved with the Vietnam War--including letters sent home by veterans, peace accords, poems, songs and essays.”

The oratorio, timed to coincide with the 20th anniversary of the formal end of the Vietnam War, is the Pacific’s longest and largest project to date. It will incorporate the Pacific Chorale, a children’s chorus, soprano Ann Panagulias and baritone James Maddalena.

Superstar cellist Yo-Yo Ma will be featured in the recording by Sony Classical to be made two days after the first performances, but the Pacific’s principal cellist, Timothy Landauer, will play the prominent part at the live concerts and the recording sessions. Ma’s part will be overdubbed in the post-production process.

When the commission was announced in June, 1993, Louis G. Spisto, the Pacific’s executive director, said: “This is the kind of project that could wind up offending everyone. It’s very risky. However, we believe that the perspective it’s being written from is one of healing, not tearing people apart but bringing people together.”

Goldenthal, who did not serve in the war or the military, sought input for the piece from local Vietnamese musicians and Vietnam veterans and their families in two public forums last September in Costa Mesa.

Orange County has the largest Vietnamese population outside Vietnam.

A student of Aaron Copland and John Corigliano, Goldenthal has composed a number of serious pieces for orchestra, as well as film scores for “Alien 3” and “Drugstore Cowboy.” His original score for “Interview With the Vampire” was nominated for an Oscar this year, but the honor went to Hans Zimmer for “The Lion King.”

The composer will be on stage after both performances of the work to discuss the piece with St.Clair and answer questions from the audience.

* What: World premiere of Elliot Goldenthal’s “Fire Water Paper: A Vietnam Oratorio.”

* When: Wednesday, April 26, and April 27, at 8 p.m.

* Where: The Orange County Performing Arts Center, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa.

* Whereabouts: Take the San Diego (405) Freeway to Bristol Avenue, and head north to Town Center Drive. Take a right.

* Wherewithal: $14 to $41.

* Where to call: (714) 755-5799.

MORE MUSIC:

Esa-Pekka Salonen will lead the Los Angeles Philharmonic in music by Mozart, Stravinsky and Salonen on Saturday at 8 p.m. at the Orange County Performing Arts Center, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. The program is sponsored by the Philharmonic Society.