Songs of the Phoenix (CD)
Songs of the Phoenix (CD)
In the early days of the pandemic, Tim Seelig and Andrew Lippa began conversations about completing a trilogy of works created by Andrew for the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus. The first two were “I Am Harvey Milk” (2013) and “Unbreakable” (2018). Both had words and music by Andrew. This time, Andrew offered to curate a work that might address the myriad of challenges facing our nation during the pandemic. Andrew envisioned a large work created by as diverse a group of librettists and composers as possible. Two years, later, Songs of the Phoenix was birthed with the world premiere—recorded live—on April 10th, 2022, at Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco.
For more information about the many artists and producers involved in the making of this beautiful song-cycle about fortitude and resilience, see below.
World premiere of Songs of the Phoenix on April 10, 2022, in San Francisco. Photo by Gareth Gooch.
MAKING SONGS OF THE PHOENIX…
CREATED & PRODUCED BY A TEAM OF ESTEEMED ARTISTS
Songs of the Phoenix features music by composers and lyricists Ty Defoe, Alexandra Elle, Siedah Garrett, Joriah Kwamé, Daniel Lazour, Patrick Lazour, Melissa Li, Andrew Lippa, Ingrid Michaelson, Stephen Schwartz, Stephen Sondheim, Diana Syrse, and Kit Yan. Narration was written by Josh Wilder and Carson Grace Becker. Orchestrations by Peter Seibert and vocal arrangements by Dave Volpe and curation by Andrew Lippa. Dave Volpe created the TTBB arrangements and William Southerland created SATB vocal arrangements.
The album is produced by Leslie Ann Jones. The album is also produced by Dr. Timothy Seelig and Andrew Lippa with engineering by Dann Thompson and Leslie Ann Jones. Denise Woodward and Nick Abreu as recording engineers with edits by Leslie Ann Jones, Robert Gatley and Dann Thompson. The recording has been mixed by Leslie Ann Jones at Skywalker Sound, a Lucasfilm Ltd. Company with assistant mixing by Dann Thompson. Mastered by Michael Romanowski of Coast Mastering.
PERFORMED BY SFGMC WITH SPECIAL GUESTS
Songs of the Phoenix was performed as a world premiere by the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus. Narration was performed by Rodney Earl Jones. Land acknowledgement made by Landa Lakes. The orchestra was conducted by Dr. Timothy Seelig, and features Nicolas Perez on piano, Aaron Shaul on bass, Matthew Wrobel on bass, Juan Carreon on drums, Fred Morgan on percussion, Peter Seibert on keyboard, Yuri Kye on violin, Andrés Vera on cello, Tom Regouski on reeds. The album was recorded live at the San Francisco War Memorial and Performing Arts Center, Louise M Davies Symphony Hall on April 10th, 2022.
CO-COMMISSIONED BY A FAMILY OF CHORUSES
Songs of the Phoenix was commissioned by The San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus and co-comissioned by Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus; Austin Gay Men’s Chorus; Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles; Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida; Heartland Men’s Chorus; New York City Gay Men’s Chorus; North Coast Men’s Chorus; One Voice Chorus of Charlotte, NC; Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus; Portland Gay Men’s Chorus; Windy City Gay Men’s Chorus & Treble Quire.
SONG LIST…
1. PRELUDE 1 /THE LIFE CYCLE OF A STAR (ADAGIO) (Music by Andrew Lippa, Narration by Josh Wilder)
2. WE RISE (Music and Lyrics by Ingrid Michaelson)
3. WHO AM I? (Music by Melissa Li, Lyrics by Kit Yan and Melissa Li)
4. WE ARE THE TREES (Music and Lyrics by Ty Defoe, Speaker: Landa Lakes)
5. MOTHER DEAR (Music by Andrew Lippa, Lyrics by Siedah Garrett)
6. PRELUDE 2 / INVISIBLE GRIDS (Music by Andrew Lippa, Narration by Carson Grace Becker)
7. SONG OF TOMORROW (Music and Lyrics by Joriah Kwamé)
8. MÚSICA Y SABORES (Music and Lyrics by Diana Syrse)
9. PRAYER (Music and Lyrics by The Lazours)
10. PRELUDE 3 / WAVE (Music by Andrew Lippa, Narration by Josh Wilder)
11. FLAG SONG (Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim)
12. BLOOM (Music by Stephen Schwartz, Lyrics by Alexandra Elle)
13. PRELUDE 4 / FIN (Music by Andrew Lippa, Narration by Josh Wilder)
14. SONG OF THE PHOENIX (Music and Lyrics by Andrew Lippa)