Lorna’s Metamorphosis

Programme Notes

Lorna Livey is a visual artist, master printmaker, and author, and over the years, she’s become a good friend. Our connection began through our volunteer work with Lakeshore Arts, an arts organization that serves the west Toronto community we both call home. I’ve long admired Lorna’s artwork and writing, but what I appreciate most is her incredible kindness and generosity of spirit. She is, without a doubt, one of the kindest and most genuine people I know.

For a long time, I’ve wanted to create a piece of music inspired by her work, and in the fall of 2019, I finally had the chance. I visited Lorna in her studio to select a piece of her artwork as the foundation for my composition, as well as to record an interview with her about her creative process and her life. When I arrived, I expected to focus on one of her prints, but I was delightedly surprised to learn that she was working on a series of butterflies made from her old prints. The project struck me as both incredibly unique and deeply meaningful, especially with its focus on raising awareness about environmental issues.

We spent close to an hour talking, and the audio source material you hear in the composition is taken directly from that conversation. What makes this piece so special to me is how it feels like a true reflection of Lorna herself: determined, honest, and full of warmth. The instruments that accompany her voice are chosen to complement the forward-thinking, driven energy that defines her personality. As with all my work, the recorded voice and live instrumentation are meant to work together — texturally, emotionally — to communicate something genuine and heartfelt, much like Lorna’s own life and artistic journey.

– Frank Horvat

Performance & INstrument Info

To ensure the live instrumentation stays in sync with the fixed electronics, it is recommended that each performer play along with a click track, which can be heard through an in-ear monitor.

Vibraphone (standard F3 to F6)
One Marimba (2 players) (minimum 5 octave – C2 to C7)
Timpani (2-drum set: one pitched to C3, the other to C4)