Pax Christi Chorale’s season finale concert will feature a new and ambitious work by Timothy Takach, We Are Phoenix.
This multi-movement work for choir, string quartet, and video projections was commissioned by a consortium of 45 choirs from the UK, USA, and Canada. Pax is one of the participating choirs and will be giving the Toronto premiere on May 10.
Timothy Takach, We Are Phoenix
Takach is an accomplished composer, especially known for his large scale works for choir that are often inspired by the intersection of the natural, imagined, and human worlds. His music is often lyrical with rich harmonies, perhaps reflecting his tenure as a singer with the professional vocal ensemble, Cantus.
We Are Phoenix is particularly poignant given our current zeitgeist, as society is focused on environmentalism and its human anxieties. Earth and its enduring resilience are Takach’s inspiration, and he parallels the human condition to the ruin and renewal of the Earth.
In this new work, Takach has incorporated material from his existing catalog, such as Nubes Oriebatur: the eruption of Vesuvius and Ragnarök. The former describes an account of the famous volcano’s eruption by Pliny the Younger (61-112AD). The later, “Doom of the Gods”, weaves together the Norse myth of the destruction of the world and rebirth with a contemporary scene of a community evacuating from a wildfire.
Pax’s Artistic Director, Dr. Elaine Choi remarks, “Ragnarök evokes an atmosphere of mystery and tension, with chanting from the low voices. As the treble voices ascend, there is a glimmer of hope—suggesting renewal and light emerging from darkness.”
She adds, “Each movement invites the listener into a reflective and emotionally resonant soundscape.”
In contrast to the destructive forces of nature, there are very intimate and personal moments as well, such as the movement “Digging Up a Rose”, with text by Caitlin Vincent, who was also the librettist for Takach’s opera, “Computing Venus”. Choi describes this movement as, “earnest and utterly charming. It captures a sense of innocence and quiet wonder with great sincerity.”
The text is drawn from many diverse sources to shape a narrative. The poetry is rich with imagery and deep with emotion.
The collaborators include Odin Quartet for this piece.
Canadian Composers
Choi adds, “On the same concert program, we will showcase a diverse selection of works in the first half, with a special focus on Canadian composers such as Frank Horvat, Mishaal Surti, and Indigenous composer Sherryl Sewepagaham.”
“We are particularly excited to present two pieces by members of our artistic team: collaborative pianist Joshua Tamayo and choral scholar Clara Moniz.”
This program captures the spirit of our current moment, mirroring both our struggles and, even more importantly, our resilience.
As spring signals renewal, so too does this music.
- Find more concert info and tickets [HERE].
Are you looking to promote an event? Have a news tip? Need to know the best events happening this weekend? Send us a note.
#LUDWIGVAN
Get the daily arts news straight to your inbox.
Sign up for the Ludwig Van Toronto e-Blast! — local classical music and opera news straight to your inbox HERE.
- SCRUTINY | Alexander Shelley & National Arts Centre Orchestra Wow Sold-Out Toronto Crowd - May 20, 2025
- PREVIEW | Pax Christi Chorale Ends Their Season With An Ambitious World Premiere - May 1, 2025
- SCRUTINY | Angela Hewitt And Toronto Symphony Orchestra Offer Thoughtful Takes On Mozart, Mendelssohn Masterworks - March 27, 2025
