posted 07-16-2008 11:45 AM               

When NASA space shuttle Columbia STS-107 was lost on reentry in February of 2003, composer and performer Anne Cabrera felt immediately compelled to pay tribute to the shuttle's crew in the most heartfelt way that she knew: through music.

Through this audio CD, Anne both mourns and celebrates those lost astronauts. Her celebration extends to the countless individuals who spend their days and nights working to turn the dreams of space exploration and humanitarian science into realities; and also to those supportive NASA families who, despite their understandable fears, continue to stand behind their astronauts.

This album presents more than one hour of music. Accented with images from NASA's archives, the included full-color 24-page booklet is filled with both poetry and prose written by Anne to lend some insight into each of these instrumental pieces. All tracks were composed by Anne, and all parts were performed by her on synthesizer: sometimes emulating traditional orchestral instruments, and at other times producing those unusual electronic sounds and textures more commonly associated with the synthesizer.

Though the album follows the highs and (sadly and unavoidably) the lows of the Columbia mission, its larger aim is to revere the depth of the human spirit, and the willingness of some to risk all for the chance to bring benefit to the rest of us.

• Hangar Doors (Rollout)
  
• Payload
  
• Microgravity
  
• Kalpana
  
• We Remember
  
• Heroes
  
• Immortal

posted 04-19-2009 10:46 AM               

Anne and I have talked since she watched the video, and I may do a "new and improved" version at a later date. Having said that, I will admit that I'm really proud of this little presentation because it's the very first movie I ever made. Usually I do all of my presentations in PowerPoint. As such, it will always have a special place in my heart.

As far as the eagle at 1:06 - I had to go back and watch the video again. At first I didn't see it, probably because I was looking for a flying eagle somewhat similar to your superimposed Pioneer 10 that you added to the Jupiter painting. You can imagine my surprise when I realized that there really is an eagle in that image! I won't spell it out - don't want to spoil the fun for other viewers!

posted 05-03-2009 06:36 PM               

You might notice that I also changed the wording on the original message about this show. Although I originally termed it a "collaboration," I would like to clarify. Anne's music was created as a tribute to the crew of Columbia, and was NOT originally intended for the use for which she graciously gave me permission to use it. I don't want to detract in any way from her tribute to Columbia. I also want to state for the record how grateful I am for her allowing me to use a small part of her creative genius in my little show, and for her friendship.

posted 04-30-2010 12:22 PM               

We had NO IDEA that my music flew IN SPACE ON ORBIT until yesterday! It was a total, TOTAL SURPRISE. Until that moment yesterday, the only thing out of the ordinary was that it was my hubby's (audio engineer's) birthday... so we went about doing our normal ritual of doing computer chores, checking emails, checking Twitter.... And there on Twitter was a curious post from "Astro_Clay" with a link... and when I clicked on the link, there was THIS PHOTO of astronaut Clay Anderson's smiling face, next to one of my "Columbia" CD disks, both floating IN MICROGRAVITY!! And maybe the best part of all: below the photo on Twitter were Clay's priceless words: "There you go... whatchya think of that Ms. C?"

posted 05-02-2010 01:27 PM               

When I worked on this music, it was always about THEM, Columbia's crew. It was never about me. I was just the conduit... and this music came from beyond, from somewhere out there.

posted 01-29-2011 02:48 PM               

This music is all about THEM, and their accomplishments and hopes and dreams. But it is also about OUR hopes and dreams. It is about those very great things that brought all of us together here in the first place.

Music has power. It can change a day -- and a life. It can direct our attention towards something that is hard to put a finger on, but something that is bigger and greater than words could ever say. And sometimes music can show us the way.