Leo Szilard was a Hungarian physicist who, as a result of his work in physics in Germany in the early thirties, fled the changing political climate to persuade non- fascist powers to begin development of an 'Atomic' bomb. His tenacious efforts finally succeeded, through the help of Albert Einstein, in persuading Roosevelt to initiate the 'Manhattan Project'. In the closing weeks of the war in Europe, Szilard attempted to persuade the government of the United States that a 'Super Bomb' was no longer necessary and along with a group of physicists based in Chicago pointed out many of the long term effects that this escalation in weapons technology would have. Unsuccessful in dampening the new enthusiasm for the Atomic Bomb, Szilard set up the first anti-nuclear lobby group: the Council for a Livable World.
This work is a homage to Szilard and to the zealous activity and moral courage that led his life in such contradictory directions.
First Performed: Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts Perth Cultural Centre July 12, 13 and14 1990
credits
from separate islands: chamber music I [1988-1991],
released October 26, 2012
Magnetic Pig: Lindsay Vickery (saxophone), Iain Grandage (cello), Paul Tanner (percussion) and Cathie Travers (Piano).