I have written in this space previously about my unabashed love of great choral singing. Be it a local choir or a recording of a well-known international choir, I just find myself wrapped up in the music in no time.
Fortunately this week I have the pleasure of enjoying both: two local choirs will be performing and recordings of a great international choir well worth listening to.
Let's begin with the recordings.
Prior to Christmas I promoted to subscribers in my monthly Fine Music Newsletter the release of a new box set to commemorate the passing last year of the great Sir David Willcocks, who many will remember as the genial and inspirational conductor of the Choir of King's College, Cambridge from 1954 to 1973. Entitled "The Complete Argo Recordings", the 29-CD box set make for absolutely sublime listening, as I have discovered while sampling the box set this week. Of the 29 CDs in the box, I am as of this writing listening to disc 28, and each and every one of the discs has been a revelation.
From masses of William Byrd to Bach's St. John Passion to several classic recordings of the holiday Festival of Lessons and Carols, this box set has it all, with lovely sound, copious notes and the type of singing you just don't hear much anymore.
Willcocks, whom I enjoyed watching conduct our own Chorus Niagara back about 15 years ago, is a master of extracting exquisite sound from the voices under his watch, and this new set celebrates not only his genius, but the genius of so many great composers who wrote for the human voice. The unity of sound is incredible, making you long to be in a stately English cathedral as an exceptional choir allows their collective voices to wash over you.
The closest I have found on this side of the ocean is the Elora Festival Singers while singing in their home church, St. John's in Elora, conducted by Noel Edison. Rarely a year goes by when I don't hear that wonderful choir in their home church, as the sound is full, rich and full of colour.
But the Choir of King's College, Cambridge? For many, they are the gold standard for choirs, at least during the long tenure of Sir David. These discs will be enjoyed and treasured by many for years to come.
Willcocks conducts most of the discs, of course, but there are a few earlier discs conducted by his predecessor, Boris Ord, and they have been rarely heard for many years now. In fact, the Christmas Eve 1954 recording of the Festival of Lessons and Carols conducted by Boris Ord is receiving its first-ever release on CD in this lavish package.
It is not an inexpensive set, to be sure, but clearly it is of value to any lover of fine choral music. I have enjoyed every disc already as I have listened whenever time would allow this past week. I suspect you will become wrapped up in the music should you have a chance to hear it too.
You can, of course, by ordering the box set through my website, www.finemusic.ca. Or you can just email me your request directly at music@vaxxine.com. I will be happy to introduce you to a world of great choral music all wrapped up in one box set!
On the local scene, our own Chorus Niagara performs next weekend in Partridge Hall at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre in downtown St. Catharines. Entitled Eternity, the concert will feature as its centre-piece the great B-Minor Mass by J.S. Bach, performed by the 100-voice choir joined with the Orpheus Choir of Toronto and the Talisker Baroque Players. Programmed alongside the Bach B-Minor Mass will be the Canadian premiere of Bastian Cleve's "The Sound of Eternity", 27 short dialogue-free films created to mirror the 27-part musical structure of Bach's great vocal work.
Robert Cooper will be conducting the concert next Saturday evening, March 5th at 7:30 pm, and tickets should still be available by calling the box office at the PAC at 905-688-0722.
In the more immediate future, Niagara's other great choral tradition, Choralis Camerata, presents their popular concert celebrating Black History Month, entitled "Beyond the North Star." This concert has been performed at various locations around Niagara in the past, although I don't believe it has been for the last couple of years at least.
Tomorrow afternoon at 2:30, Choralis Camerata will be joined by guest vocalists Teresa Holierhoek and Justin Bacchus, alongside musicians Nick Braun and Rob McBride in a performance of music telling the story of how many African-Americans escaped slavery in the southern United States by travelling the so-called Underground Railroad to the promised land of Canada. The history of this struggle has roots right here in Niagara, of course, as Harriet Tubman was perhaps the most daring and famous conductor on the Underground Railroad.
Harriet Tubman lived for many years in St. Catharines, of course, and attended services at the historic BME Church on Geneva Street. A statue of the great conductor can now be seen at the new school that bears her name on Henry Street in central St. Catharines.
Her exploits, as well as the courageous and heroic efforts of everyone involved with the Underground Railroad are presented with words and music in the Beyond the North Star concert Sunday afternoon. The music will be presented by Choralis Camerata and musical friends; the words will be presented by your humble scribe, once again pleased and honoured to be a part of this great concert. I love this music and the tremendously brave people who are part of the stories inspiring the music.
Tickets should be available at the door for tomorrow afternoon's concert at St. Andrew's United Church on Morrison Street in Niagara Falls. It begins at 2:30.
I hope to see a nice turnout for tomorrow's concert, not only to enjoy the words and music, but also to learn more about the significant contributions we made right here in Niagara to liberating many African-Americans from their difficult lives down south.
Enjoy your weekend!
February 27th, 2016.
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