A Walk to Remember with Voces Solis
The local chamber choir brings a 500-mile historic pilgrimage to life with Path of Miracles.
POSTER BY HUCK BEARD
Joby Talbot’s acclaimed a cappella work Path of Miracles depicts the 500-mile Camino de Santiago pilgrimage through France and Spain.
The 9th-century network of pilgrimage routes in northern Spain leads to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, where St. James the Apostle is believed to be buried, and the 2005 choral composition serves as a “musical guidebook” to the diverse landscapes, cultures and people along the Camino.
Arranged in four movements to mirror four cathedral towns along the path, the work traces a spiritual journey marked by separation, transformation and connection, weaving together medieval chant and contemporary musical language.
“Path of Miracles is one of the true masterworks of the 21st century and an example of choral music at its apex,” says Ryan Keeling, artistic director of Voces Solis. “I hope that our audience will be inspired by the beauty and complexity of the music and will be moved by the message in the piece.”
Voces Solis will perform the 70-minute masterwork in three local sacred spaces. Keeling says the venues were chosen purposefully for their acoustics, locations and connections with the group.
“It’s always an incredible gift to share in music making in these spaces,” he says.
The Path of Miracles concerts are free. There will be three performances: June 5: Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church (Mt. Lebanon) ● June 6: Hope Lutheran Church (Cranberry) ● June 7: Sewickley United Methodist Church
