“What Sweeter Music” began with my desire for Village Voices (my incredible community choir!) to perform a Christmas classic: Benjamin Britten’s “A Ceremony of Carols” for SATB choir and harp!
But can we find the right harpist? What else can we sing to round out the program? And how do I tie it all together so it presents a story or journey for the audience? …and so the process begins!
It all began when Adolfo found the contact information for a harpist he highly recommended. Liane James holds a Masters of Music in harp performance from the University of Toronto and has won many awards throughout her career. Recent concert highlights include performing at a reception for HRH Princess Anne, appearing as harp soloist for Ravel’s “Introduction and Allegro” with the Ontario Philharmonic Orchestra and performing live on stage with Michael Burgess.
So …. talented and musical – hmmm, – but will she be available? (Harpists get very busy around December!)
Well not only was she available, but once we ‘met on the phone’ and decided she and I shared similar perspectives on interpretation for the work, she was very excited to perform with us, (even though I added a harp solo and the task of accompanying us for Rutter’s “Angels’ Carol”!)
So then I started looking at repertoire, new and old, and suddenly a theme was born! This concert will be in three parts: “Hodie!”, “Today!” and “From This Day Forward!”, looking at the development of Christmas music throughout the ages.
“Hodie!” (latin for “Today” or “This Day”), featuring texts from the 9c to the late 1800’s, will be represented by some of the original music of the time and also by more modern compositions based on the old texts. This will be a chance to perform some of the songs that have become our treasured Christmas carols.
“Today!” is going to present music by young, emerging composers and arrangers. I noticed a definite change in the texts and compositional styles these talented young artists are using for their Christmas repertoire. Instead of retelling the Christmas story, as is the case in the music of the “Hodie!” section, these lyrics and melodies use the Christmas story to relate to modern day issues like refugees, climate change, and inclusion). They bring a more modern and personal experience or outlook to their work – and I think you will all enjoy the results. Their music is very moving and it is gorgeous!
“From This Day Forward” or “de awehshaht” (in Huron-Wendot) will look to the future. What kind of music will refresh the Christmas story for our children and grandchildren? Of course I cannot predict what composers will write in the future, but we will look at the modern day trend of “respecting the past, while developing a new future”. This will include a beautiful prayer by Eleanor Daley, a new work by Joanna Forbes L’Estrange’ (“A Present for the Future”) and conclude with a Christmas portion Handel’s Messiah. (And besides the harp, the concert will include a beautiful string quartet as well as piano!)
To our returning members and potential new members: Studying the new repertoire (as Barb and I prepare it for your folders), I am so excited for this program! And I hope to be further excited to see all my lovely returning choir members again in September and lots of new faces as well! (So do consider joining us!)
We will meet again on Wednesday, September 4th at St Andrew’s Church. ‘Refreshments, Registration and folder pick up’ will begin at 7:00pm and we will sing our first note of the season at 7:30pm! See you all then!
Shirley