Glad of the World
90 min / live / music and projections / Canada / 2006 + 2007

I met a man who was glad of the world.
Glad, he said,
because pain was all that kept the weight
of his happiness from crushing him,
and gravity was all that kept him from
flopping away into the sky.

This poem by clarinetist Don Ross was the inspiration for an unique multi-media concert that brought together some of Edmonton’s finest artists from different disciplines. As the founder and artistic director of Saint Crispin’s, Don hand-picked celebrated artists Keri Zwicker (harp), John Ullyatt (vocals), Dave Clarke (electronics) and Eva Colmers (video and shadow projections) to join him for Glad of the World.

The program features work by J. S. Bach, Edison Denisov and Piotr Grella-Mozejko along with a new work written for the show by Michael Horwood. My Dad’s Story is a multi-media setting of a recording Don made of his father in his last days. Also on the bill: the ancient Greek Oxyrhynchus Hymn, the Zen classic A Bell Ringing in and Empty Sky, the Celtic song Lone Shanakyle and more. The various numbers are tied together with live screen projections, improv, electronic processing of the title poem and an appearance of Dave’s theremin. An amazing acoustic and visual treat.

Clarinet - Don Ross
Harp - Keri-Lynn Zwicker
Vocals - John Ullyatt
Electronics - Dave Clarke
Video/shadows - Eva Colmers
Production manager - Eileen Sproule

Performances
Friday, November 8, 2006 Eckhardt-Grammate Hall, Calgary
(part of New Works Calgary)
Friday, January 26, 2007 Stanley A. Milner Library, Edmonton

… with the financial support of
The Alberta Foundation for the Arts
Edmonton Arts Council