C O N S O L A T I O
Laurence Ewashko had been one of my conductors during my time with the Vienna Choir Boys.
Laurence and I had kept in contact for several years, when, during my studies in Los Angeles, he asked me if I would like to write a symphonic piece for choir and orchestra for the 150th anniversary of the University of Ottawa, whose choir he was conducting at the time.
I was surprised because I had never written a work of that magnitude, but jumped at the opportunity.
I was looking for a Latin text when my partner Ken Clark recommended a collection of poems, called Mediaeval Latin Lyrics, by Helen Waddell. In it, I found two excerpts from The Consolation of Philosophy by Boethius.
During rehearsals in Ottawa, a choir member asked me why my music was so uplifting when Boethius had written his work in prison. I think that writing was Boethius' source of comfort, his consolation, during his incarceration, and I wanted the music to reflect that.
Words cannot express how thankful I am to Laurence and the wonderful musicians.
In 2004, Philip Mackenzie and his Stockport Youth Orchestra gave the piece an enthusiastic performance in an unforgettable Christmas concert. My thanks to my friend Matthias Wurz for recommending my piece to maestro Mackenzie!
I dedicated this piece to the memory of my dear Latin tutor, Theophil Kotynski.
Special Thanks to: Ken Clark, Laurence Ewashko, Gerald Fried,
Teresa Garcia-Guerrero Viu, David Horne, Orada Jusatayanond,
Dominique Lapointe, Barbara & Stuart & Helene Robertson,
Steven Scott Smalley, and Toshiko & Anton Wendler
Performed live at Saint Joseph's Church,
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, on December 4th, 1999
Dedicated to the memory of Theophil Kotynski
