NEW YORK (AP) — A dozen years after 9/11, an American musician has turned memories of grief into survivor songs — some of them surprisingly joyous.
Composer Jake Heggie said Sunday that his new album titled "here/after (songs of lost voices)" is meant to create hope.
The singers on the album tell the stories of 9/11 survivors from around the country. Their songs express thoughts about lost loved ones as they sort belongings left behind. One set of songs is called "Pieces of 9-11."
Songwriter Gene Scheer, a Grammy nominee, used the words of real people for the lyrics. Adults and children shared sometimes whimsical stories about dead spouses, fathers and friends.
One song asks the emotionally tricky questions: "What's beyond your anger? What's beyond your sorrow?"
The album will be released Oct. 21.
