Fighting for Animal Rights
David Johnstone, as a performer and composer (with which his position in the arts is clear), expresses himself publicly to be totally against the programming of festivities with any abuse towards animals for 'human enjoyment', and especially bull-fighting. He is fully agreed with the phrase: “Torture is neither art nor culture". Even more, for him it is the shame of the Spanish nation... and so, as proof of that, here is a personal committment in an important work of Johnstone:
ELEGY - THE ORATION OF THE BULL
Solo Viola with String Orchestra or Piano
'Elegy' is a concert work that can be played as a 'pure' concert piece, without mention of the programmatic thread – as such, a late romantic intense outpouring with occasional impressionist touches present. It is very much of film ambience; the special quality of the viola sings (in all registers) almost uninterruptedly in long awe-inspiring phrases that would seem to perfectly fit the big screen. There are two performance possibilities, for the work is equally persuasive whether performed in recital with pianist, or with string orchestra. The duration is about seven minutes and a half.
There are no doubts, in Johnstone's mind, as to the need still (in the twenty-first century) for animal 'justice' and to act against unreasonable animal exploitation:
The work is affectionately dedicated to Asún Vidal and the ‘Fundación Protectora de Animales de Navarra’, España.
Sociedad Protectora de Animales de Navarra (Spain) |
This is the principal organization in Navarre for the defence of animals in that region of Spain, and is now constituted as an Animal Foundation.
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| ACIG – Animal Cruelty Investigation Group (Great Britain) |
They carry out stunning work investigating animal abuse - it's a small group who even risk their physical integrity to do justice towards the animals.
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| LACS – League against Cruel Sports (Great Britain) |
This large organization has worked for the defence of animals during many years and is highly regarded, especially in the torture received from cruel sports, and is an effective political pressure group.
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Fundación Altarriba |
This organization fights for the protection and care of domestic animals, above all dogs and cats.
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Anima Naturalis |
A consolidated web page on the rights of animals, with national and international news.
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PACMA – Partido Animalista |
An excellent political pressure group, formed as a fully political party, with an excellent voting return in 2016.
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Onekind (Advocates for Animals) |
This organization carries out a very important role in the protection of animals in Scotland, with a strong public presence and campaigns of undeniable influence.
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