Timothy C. Takach, one of the founders and owners of Graphite, composes music that is lyrical, disciplined, accessible, and well-crafted. In other words, Takach’s music exemplifies the Graphite style of music that is both “Notable and Elevated.”
Among his more recent accomplishments is the stunning choral ballet “Unfashioned Creature,” a significant multi-movement choral ballet inspired by Mary Shelley’s book Frankenstein.
Weaving together contemporary social themes: rejection, self-discovery, and love, the work forwards a complex character who seeks to find belonging and equality. While Frankenstein is a classic horror story, its themes are as relevant today as ever.
Takach crafts a cohesive work filled with contrasts in mood, sound, and texture. A lonely cello wanders through most of the piece, almost like the voice of the monster, searching for a home or for an answer to the impossible question, “Who am I?” Bursts of percussion jolt through the score, reminders of the violence and anger in the story. But there are tender moments too in the unaccompanied trio of SAT voices. “Unfashioned Creature” resolves itself similarly to a Requiem; in death there is peace but also the reminder that we are all unfinished, flawed, and “unfashioned creatures.”
Unfashioned Creature
Ballet for SATB, cello, percussion
Difficulty:
Originally premiered by James Sewell Ballet, Penelope Freeh’s choreography is flexible and adaptable for various ballet groups.. This would be a great collaborative project for college or community programs.
Check out the new recording by MPLS (ImPulse), Dave Hagedorn & Laura Sewell!
Check out the Brand New Recording!
Together, Unafraid
SSA, piano
Difficulty:
“Together, Unafraid,” for SSA & piano, is a touching piece created from students’ shared feelings of connection with others, self-doubt, the responsibility put upon their generation to fix a broken world, and a strong hope for the future.
Timothy Takach has set the text beautifully in “Together, Unafraid” with repeating melodic figures and motives while also using the structure of the piece to push forward and move from doubt to unity and hope as “A road emerges through the fog. We move forward, together, unafraid.” Takach’s gift for writing tunes is evident in this lovely song—it’s one of those pieces that will stay with you long after the sound has died.
Every Fire
TTBB, piano
Difficulty:
“Every Fire,” for TTBB & piano, is an impressive, high-energy piece for TB singers. Conceived for a 9-12 grade TB mass choir, the piece uses unisons, motivic development and smart divisi to ensure that the music is accessible for young singers while being fulfilling for older singers.
Coupled with a dramatic piano part, the combined result is spirited music that asks what might be within us? Who might we have the potential to be?
And of course, October is right around the corner, so maybe you need something for the Halloween season.
Insidious
SATB, piano
Difficulty:
Takach’s “Insidious” is the perfect Halloween piece for mixed choir and piano. A creaking piano accompaniment sounds like an old broken music box in a dusty attack. As the choir explores the haunted space the presence of evil grows increasingly—and more insidiously—“stronger.” Look out!
Our Contributing Editor
Jonathan Campbell, BA, MSM, DMA, currently serves as Director of Music at Zion Lutheran Church, Anoka, MN., and is a Contributing Editor for Graphite Publishing. His music publishers include Augsburg Fortress, Concordia, Morningstar, GIA, Sacred Music Press, and Falls House. He won first prize in the Morningside Choral Composition Contest and was also awarded a Faith Partner’s Residency with the American Composer’s Forum. Jonathan has served many churches, conducted the Chorale of the Honors Choirs S.E. MN for eight years, and has served on the faculties of Winona State University, Augsburg University, and Pomona College.
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