Meet Composer Tikey Zes

May 18-20 during the Be Radiant, O Peoples! tour, Cappella Romana will premiere a new work by composer Tikey Zes. Cappella Romana has a long history of working with Mr. Zes, including a whole CD of his Choral Works which was one of the ensemble’s earliest releases, and a new work on the Angelic Light compilation. So as we prepare this new world premiere, we wanted to introduce you to the man behind the music:

Tikey Zes (b. 1927) was raised in Southern California and completed his doctoral studies at USC, having studied composition under renowned neo-classicist Ingolf Dahl. Dr. Zes, however, soon relocated to the San Francisco Bay Area, where he assumed musical directorship of both the Berkeley Chamber Singers, with whom he recorded the music of Ockeghem, and the Greek Orthodox Church (now Cathedral) of the Ascension in Oakland. He later moved to San Jose, where he became Professor of Composition at San Jose State University and choir director of the Greek Orthodox Church of St. Nicholas. Throughout his career, Dr. Zes tirelessly worked for the improvement of Greek-American liturgical music. He has composed extensively in both Greek and English for the Orthodox liturgy, cultivating a graceful style of polyphony based on the modes and melodies of Byzantine chant. In addition, he has served frequently as a guest conductor and clinician throughout the United States. For his distinguished service to the Orthodox Church, the Ecumenical Patriarchate awarded him the offikion of “Archon Lampadarios,” a title customarily bestowed on the director of the left choir in the patriarchal chapel. Upon retiring from his post at San Jose State, Dr. Zes assumed directorship of the Music Ministry programme of the Greek Orthodox Diocese of San Francisco.

Be Radiant, O Peoples!
The Easter Canon of St. John of Damascus (8th cent.)

World premieres by: Tikey Zes, John Vergin, Richard Toensing, Ivan Moody, Peter Michaelides, and Robert Kyr.

Lincoln City
Fri., May 18, 2012, 7 pm
Lincoln City Cultural Center, 540 NW Hwy 101
Presented by José Solano; made possible in part by
The Oregon Cultural Trust. Tickets 541-994-9994.

Portland
Sat., May 19, 2012, 8 pm
St. Mary’s Cathedral, 1739 NW Couch St (at 18th)

Seattle
Sun., May 20, 2012, 4 pm (matinée)
St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church
2100 Boyer Ave E, Seattle

Prices start at $25. cappellaromana.org or 800-494-8497 (phone service fee applies)

Discounts students, seniors, & Arts for All and student rush at door. Pre-concert talks one hour prior to concerts in Portland and Seattle.