Gothic Elegy

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Elegy for Flute & Urban Orchestra

I’ve always loved this evocative building at 1 Spadina Cresent where Spadina Road is diverted around this imposing edifice just north of College Street, and many times have I imagined playing flute in this historic spire. On the heels of Friday the 13th – speaking of bad luck – and as I cycled back from a Saturday night gig with The Runaway Catholics in Kensington Market, I came across this arresting scene.

There was a chill in the air and I was just wanting to get home, but I took a few minutes to wonder at this Gothic marvel, reflect on the recent tragedies that have occurred here, and improvise on my vintage 1920′s Berlin-made Wunderlich flute. The ambient sounds of shunting streetcars and passing traffic made for a decidedly Toronto-sounding accompaniment: my Urban Orchestra!

This Gothic Elegy is dedicated to Leah Kubik who tragically fell to her death here recently and Urban Explorers everywhere. This post is also in the memory of  University of Toronto art teacher David Buller, inexplicably stabbed to death in this building and whose murder remains unsolved to this day.

Note: The photo is a little blurry here, admittedly, but I like to think that what it might lack in clarity is made up for in atmosphere. Not bad for a hand-held, 2-second exposure I figure, though next time I should carry my tripod!?