A little note from Sibelius

From Alex Ross, "The Rest is Noise: Listening to the Twentieth Century" (New York: FSG, 2007)

The "swan hymn" -- the second movement of the fifth symphony came from this:

"The composer...recorded it in his notebook next to a description of sixteen swans flying in formation over his Ainola home.

'One of my greatest experiences!...Lord God that beauty! They circled over me for a long time. Disappeared into the solar haze like a gleaming, silver, ribbon..That this should have happened to me, who have so long been the outsider.'

The swans reapppeared three days later:

'The swans are always in my thoughts and give splendor to my life. It's strange to learn that nothing in the wole world affects me -- nothing in art, literature, or music -- in the same way as do these swans and cranes and wild geese. Their voices and being.'

Flash Choir with the Builders and the Butchers!

These photos were taken by Chris Funk, producer of the new Builders and Butchers record. The Flash choir contributed their voices to some tracks this Saturday. Pretty fun!

Upcoming Fun for Spring 2008 and beyond

April 23: Oregon Arts Summit evening performance including possible colaboration with the Cello Project. More details TBD
June 21 Summer show
Sept 4 and 15 PICA TBA festival performances, including possible musical theater interludes.