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In the Fire of Conflict

by Christos Hatzis | Percussion and Digital Audio

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promoted Inuit culture around the globe. His strongest inspiration is his own religious faith, and his religious works have been hailed by critics and audiences alike as contemporary masterpieces. In addition to composing and teaching, Hatzis has written extensively about composition and contemporary music. His writings have been published on Interface, Organized Sound and Harmony, are increasingly translated into other languages and are frequently listed as required reading for music courses in tertiary educational institutions. Two of Hatzis’s works – String Quartet No.1: The Awakening (PE117) and Constantinople – have earned him Juno Awards for Classical Composition of the Year (2006 and 2008, respectively) by a Canadian composer. In 2008 Hatzis also received the Jan Matejcek Concert Music Award, awarded to the most performed and broadcast Canadian composer of the year. In 2010 Hatzis was commissioned by virtuoso violinist Hilary Hahn to write a new work for violin and piano. The resulting work, Coming To (PE119), appears on Hahn’s album In 27 Pieces: The Hilary Hahn Encores, which went on to win the 2015 Grammy Award for Chamber Music / Small Ensemble Performance. A second commission from Hahn soon followed, with Hatzis writing the hyper-virtuosic Dystopia (PE121) for solo violin. In 2013 the Royal Winnipeg Ballet and Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra commissioned Hatzis to score a major new ballet work, Going Home Star: Truth and Reconciliation. Hatzis collaborated with award-winning aboriginal throat singer Tanya Tagaq, Steve Wood and the Northern Cree Singers in creating the score for the groundbreaking production. The ballet’s subject matter is close to the composer’s heart as it confronts the impact of the residential school system on Canada’s aboriginal young people. Upon premiering in October of 2014, Going Home Star received critical acclaim. Most of Hatzis’ writings and other information about the composer can be found at http://www.hatzis.com. PE108 – iv

In the Fire of Conflict (2008) I can’t smoke this away I can’t ease this pain It’s dark, I can’t see my hands in front of my face I turn around to face this invisible crowd. Been stuck in one place for too long Can’t move on All these places and faces Erase the friend in me Now I’m on my knees Lord Please Rescue me I can’t see, it’s dark I see a flame spark I can’t think. All I hear is dogs barking I can’t take the conflict. I can’t take violence. I can’t take this blasphemy. I can’t see, it’s dark I see a flame spark I can’t think. All I hear is these dogs; They’re barking and digging for my soul. Onto destruction I fall. For me they set this trap Along this dark path. Confusion and persecution: “Nothing left to luck?”, I ask. Out ‘f the belly of this flame, I call Your Name. In the Fire of Conflict I call Your Name. – Steve Henry PE108 – v

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