World Premiere of Osvaldo Golijov's 'Falling Out of Time' on Oct. 31 at College of the Holy Cross

The College of the Holy Cross will present the world premiere performance of "Falling Out of Time," a new piece by renowned Argentinean-born composer and Loyola Professor of Music Osvaldo Golijov. The event is set to take place on Oct. 31 at 7:30 p.m. in Holy Cross' Brooks Concert Hall.

Considered one of the most important contemporary classical composers of our time, Osvaldo Golijov is known for his ability to combine varied musical genres, from Latin American and Spanish popular genres to computer music, into a personal style which successfully connects with audiences. The rich mix of influences and creativity featured in his work has earned him a unique place in contemporary repertoire as well as numerous accolades, including two Grammys for opera "Ainadamar" and the coveted MacArthur "Genius Grant" Fellowship in 2003.

"Falling Out of Time" is a much-anticipated release from Golijov, who has received numerous commissions from major orchestras and institutions around the world. His most renowned piece is arguably "La Pasión según San Marcos" (2000), a telling of St. Mark's passion from the South American perspective, which The New York Times called "A millennial work of genius. A magnificent triumph."

"Our students are engaging with and learning from one of the greatest composers of our time. Needless to say, we are beyond honored that Osvaldo and Silkroad have chosen Holy Cross as the site for the world premiere of their work, 'Falling Out of Time,'" said Margaret Freije, provost and dean of the college at the College of the Holy Cross.

Golijov's newest piece is a song cycle he conceived for the Silkroad Ensemble, the Grammy award-winning musical collective created by acclaimed cellist Yo-Yo Ma. "Falling Out of Time" is based on a book of the same name by Israeli author David Grossman, 2017 winner of the Man Booker International Prize.

Part play, part poem, part fable, the book narrates a journey "out of time" as parents grieve the death of their child, allowing the song cycle to examine the nuances of grief through the voices of vocalists Nora Fischer, Biella da Costa and Wu Tong.

Workshops for the piece began in fall 2017 as part of Silkroad's three-year residency at Holy Cross, and took place at the College's Joyce Contemplative Center, a 52-acre site overlooking the Wachusett Reservoir and designed for the college’s retreat programs.

According to Golijov, the stillness and serenity of the location had a monumental effect on how the piece was shaping up. "'Falling Out of Time' is, among other things, about spiritual silence. The complete isolation at the Contemplative Center proved to be the ideal setting for some of the most meaningful days in the decades-old creative collaboration I have had with the Silkroad Ensemble," said Golijov.

Silkroad's three-year residency at Holy Cross was made possible through a generous contribution from Neil Prior (HC '56) and his wife Trudie and is coordinated through the College's Arts Transcending Borders. ATB is an initiative designed to enhance the role of the arts in every aspect of the Holy Cross experience by infusing the arts into students' academic lives and creating new opportunities throughout the curriculum and the community to cross cultural, geographic, and disciplinary boundaries.

For more information about the "Falling Out of Time" premiere, please go to https://www.holycross.edu/atb/silkroad/time. Tickets are now available for sale at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/falling-out-of-time-tickets-62523394155.