Sophia: Music for John

Jean-Philippe Calvin, the French composer, has written a short piece of music dedicated to Genesis Founder and Chairman John  Studzinski. The piece is called Sophia (Wisdom, in the Ancient Greek language). The piece is profoundly spiritual and is mixed with Oriental Timelessness, aspiring to the depth and feeling of a Byzantine Chant. Here is an exclusive preview on the Genesis web site from a live performance given in May 2007 in Paris. Asked about this piece, Calvin said: “I admire John Studzinski and his enlightened philanthropy enormously. He has given me the opportunity to work on my first opera and to discover that it is an area that interest me more than I ever expected. He is also a very spiritual man. I was inspired by his example; and when I wrote this piece of music it seemed to me that he would be the ideal dedicatee. So Sophia is for John!”

Jean-Philippe has been working until recently with OperaGenesis to develop his ideas for an opera based on Ionesco's play La  Cantatrice Chauve (The Bald Soprano). Genesis is now undertaking to co-produce the premiere of this opera in London next year. Bill Bankes-Jones, the founder and artistic director of  Tete a Tete, will head the team that will mount the production. Meantime, here is a sample of the music of Jean-Philippe Calvin to listen to.

The performance, with the Paris Conservatory Orchestra, is conducted by the composer.

Play Sophia