Patrick Zimmerli’s 'Instrument of Destiny' at The Cathedral of St John the Divine

Patrick Zimmerli’s 'Instrument of Destiny' at The Cathedral of St John the Divine
Wed., Nov. 20
Tickets: $25-60. Show at 7:30PM.

Composer Patrick Zimmerli writes music that draws on both classical and jazz, and his big piece based on the poetry of Alan Seeger calls for a male chorus, tenor soloist, and jazz pianist and percussionist. Alan Seeger was the uncle of Pete Seeger, and one of the first Americans to join French forces early in World War I. He died in battle on the Fourth of July, 1916, before America actually entered the war. Here, Zimmerli sets Seeger’s poetic premonition, called "I Have a Rendezvous With Death" from Instrument of Destiny.

The U.S. Premiere of Patrick Zimmerli's oratorio on poetry of Alan Seeger, Instrument of Destiny, takes place Wed. night, Nov. 20, at the Cathedral of St John the Divine. Kent Tritle conducts the Men of the Cathedral Choir, and is joined by guest jazz musicians and tenor Alex Richardson.