Passio – Composition commission issued to Dariusz Przybylski

PHØNIX16, Berlin, Germany

Polish composer Dariusz Przybylski will be writing a piece for the Berlin vocal ensemble PHØNIX16 where he is Composer-in-Residence this season. The work Passio features an adaptation of the seven last words of Jesus and the St. John Passion. The cast of twelve voice parts makes it possible for the composer to create the most varied mixes and combinations of voices. This generates special sound colors as well as clearer and more precise expression allowing the soloists’ virtuosity to transpose the tiniest of emotional nuances in music. The twelve voices are reminiscent of the twelve Apostles who experienced the passion of Christ. However, also reflected in them are other characters in the story. The three tenor voices act as evangelists yet otherwise they remain silent; the words of Christ are sung by the bass voices – a practice deeply anchored in the tradition of church music. Passio will be performed by PHØNIX16 as part of a concert tour, together with Wolfgang Rihm’s seven passion texts, in Poznan, Warsaw, Kiev and Berlin (at the Katholische Akademie). Finally, it is planned for Passio  to also be recorded along with two other of Przybylski’s works.


March 8, 2013
Warsaw, Poland

March 9, 2013 
Poznan, Poland

March 17 and 24, 2013 
Berlin, Germany

Further Information:
www.phoenix16.net