In celebration of The Phoenix Symphony’s 60th Anniversary, the orchestra has commissioned a work combining symphonic music with the traditions of the Southwest in Enemy Slayer: A Navajo Oratorio. The work for chorus, orchestra, and baritone soloist composed by Music Alive Composer-in-Residence Mark Grey explores a contemporary retelling of an ancient but timeless Navajo epic.
Incorporating a libretto of Navajo and English-language text by Navajo librettist Laura Tohe, the world-premiere will also include the digital artwork of photographer Deborah O’Grady as visual backdrop to the music of the Oratorio. The world premiere weekend will take place February 7-9 at Symphony Hall in downtown Phoenix under the direction of Virginia G. Piper Music Director Michael Christie.
Using the monster slayer narrative from the Navajo Creation Story as a starting point, composer Mark Grey adapted the story of Seeker, a warrior born to protect the Navajo people and rid the world of monsters. In this modern retelling, Seeker returns from war to a heartfelt welcome by his people, but the memories of combat continue to haunt his dreams. The Seeker must overcome these nightmares to conquer his personal quest towards fulfillment and wholeness. The role of the Seeker will be sung by internationally-renowned baritone Scott Hendricks while the Phoenix Symphony Chorus will represent the Navajo ancestral "voices" providing guidance to the Seeker as well aiding in the telling of the epic story. The concert will also feature digital images taken on the Navajo Nation in northeastern Arizona by photographer Deborah O’Grady depicting the four cardinal directions and the four seasons that Seeker will experience during his personal journey.
The world-premiere performance will represent an immense collaboration of cultural traditions and artists from throughout the southwestern United States. "This project is a fusion of Western concert music and Native American traditions providing the public with an enlightened understanding of the culture that has existed for centuries in the Southwest," says Grey. Arizona State University Associate Professor of English and Navajo librettist Laura Tohe adapted the ancient story of spiritual battle and recovery for modern times as Mark Grey composed music combining the symphonic repertory with sounds evoking the spirit of the Navajo. With English and Navajo language elements, western and Native American musical components, and a mix of both contemporary narratives, Enemy Slayer will be a unique multi-cultural performance experience for The Phoenix Symphony and the greater public.
Several community events will explore facets of Navajo culture as well as the evolution of the new musical work before the world-premiere of Enemy Slayer in February, 2008. Composer-in-Residence Mark Grey and Laura Tohe will participate and lead a number of activities across Phoenix as well as on the Navajo Nation in northeastern Arizona. Activities include lectures, concerts, films, and a special reduction of the work giving the public a glimpse of the Oratorio.
"The Phoenix Symphony orchestra is truly honored to be part of this unprecedented artistic collaboration between its musicians, staff, patrons, and the greater community," says Music Director Michael Christie. The orchestra has partnered with The Heard Museum, the American Symphony Orchestra League and its residency program Music Alive, the Target Corporation, and many others who helped made this project a reality. -- www.phoenixsymphony.org
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