Phoenix (Cathedral)
for symphony orchestra
2019
approx. duration 8 minutes
Instrumentation
[3222-4331-tmp+2-hp-str]3 Flutes/Picc
2 Oboes/Oboe d’amore
2 Clarinets/Bs Clar
2 Bassoons
4 Horns
3 Trumpet
3 Trombones
Tuba
Timpani
2 percussion (Tri/Tam-Tam, Bass Drum)
Harp
Violin 1
Violin 2
Viola
Cello
Bass
Notes
Commissioned and premiered by the Spartanburg Philharmonic in 2019 to commemorate the reopening of Twichell Auditorium in the Zimmerli Performance Center at Converse College (SC), and to honor the Philharmonic’s newly renamed “Zimmerli Classic Series”, Phoenix (Cathedral) is dedicated to Kurt & Nelly Zimmerli who have devoted so much time, energy, and support to building a lasting legacy of music in Spartanburg.
The piece takes inspiration from the fiery legend of the phoenix – an ancient animal that is reborn time and again from its ashes. But rather than focusing on the moments of death & rebirth, the piece aims to capture the eternal nature of the mythical creature. Often with spiritual and religious undertones, the phoenix has symbolized a myriad of ideas throughout human history: the sun, time, resurrection, and consecration to name a few.
The life of the phoenix is far-reaching, spanning countless generations. Phoenix (Cathedral) celebrates Twichell Auditorium, Spartanburg’s “cathedral of music.” It celebrates Spartanburg’s musical heritage, and it celebrates Kurt & Nelly Zimmerli who have done so much to ensure the future of music in their community for many years to come.