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Performances
Premiered by TAK Ensemble, Charlotte Mundy (Soprano) and Marina Kifferstein (Violin), April 7 2025
Program Notes
Ode Phénicienne was composed in memory of my cousin, Alexandre Aouad, who passed away on December 6, 2023, at the age of 29. The text, written by his father, Elie Aouad, reflects a spiritual and solemn dialogue on life and eternity. While the text itself is not humorous, it contains references to a humorous piece Alexandre once wrote about the creation of the universe—an example of his wit and intellectual curiosity.
Alexandre was born and raised in France to Lebanese parents, and this dual heritage is reflected in the piece’s linguistic and cultural references. The text includes invocations in Canaanite—connecting to the region’s ancient history—and references to both St. Thérèse of Lisieux, one of France’s most beloved saints, and St. Charbel, the patron saint of Lebanon. These figures, deeply tied to Alexandre’s cultural and spiritual background, serve as intercessors in the celestial conversation.
Musically, the piece incorporates modified elements of Levantine folk traditions, alongside a paraphrase of the 7th movement of Telemann’s Partita No. 5, a piece that Alexandre played beautifully on the recorder. This musical quotation serves as both a tribute and a sonic memory, a thread connecting his artistic voice to this work.
The text unfolds as a celestial conversation, where figures from different linguistic and cultural traditions—Lebanese, French, Greek, and Canaanite—convene in a plea for Alexandre. Their voices ultimately resolve in an affirmation of love, joy, and peace, echoing his own spirit. The text is recited entirely in Canaanite, reinforcing a connection to the region’s ancient linguistic and cultural heritage.
In performance, the violin and soprano engage in an intricate interplay of texture and expression, mirroring the shifting tones of grief, remembrance, and transcendence. The violin part includes subtle inflections reminiscent of Arabic maqam, microtonal shading, and extended techniques that create an evocative sound world—at times raw, at times ethereal. The soprano navigates between speech-like intonations and soaring lines, embodying both the spoken word and the spiritual lament.
Ode Phénicienne is not only a tribute to Alexandre but also a meditation on memory, language, and the enduring nature of love.