 You're Invited to Chez Nous: Christmas with Elektra
Glittering new works commissioned for this Chez Nous; exciting guest artists to collaborate with your favourite women's choir; sparkling arrangements of old favourites alongside works that are destined to become new favourites; these are just some of the reasons to purchase your tickets now to Chez Nous: Christmas with Elektra!
The featured work is William Mathias' lyrical setting of Salvator Mundi, a Christmas carol sequence based on seven carols from the 15th - 17th centuries. Mathias was considered one of the greatest of Welsh composers, whose technical sophistication never got in the way of his love of lyrical vocal lines and the sense of text, occasion and emotional spirit of his music. Salvator Mundi calls for "piano 4 hands" and we are honoured to welcome the VSO's Maestro, Bramwell Tovey, to share the piano bench with Elektra's own Stephen Smith.
Elektra is also excited to premiere works by long-time friends of the choir, Timothy Corlis, and composer/guitarist, Ed Henderson. Corlis was asked to write a sing-along piece for the programme, a charge he embraced with enthusiasm.
"One of the first things that came to mind were the bells - Christmas bells!" he says."So it ended up being a zany bell carol medley that features ZING children's choir, accompanied by a jazz trio - and roughly 34 hand bells."
Ed Henderson's search for the perfect lyric took a long time.
"I read many poems and asked many friends for suggestions and after a couple of months looking a friend sent Luci Shaw's Star Song to Morna Edmundson who emailed me the poem," comments Henderson.
"Star Song leaps off the page with such vitality 'We have been having epiphanies, like suns, all this year long' that I find it exciting, irresistible and full of sparkling images: ideas which suggest vibrating choral clusters and star bursts, harmonics, wailing calls all joining together in a prayer - 'coming together again at the stable,' he adds. "It's a prayer to join together for common good, for the love of God and for peace on earth and goodwill to all."
Chez Nous: Christmas with Elektra will wrap you in gorgeous lyricism, make you smile and sing along, and send you onward into December with a renewed sense of expectation and joy. Order your tickets now!
Saturday, November 28 · 2 pm
New Westminster Christian Reformed Church
8255 13th Ave, Burnaby
Saturday, November 28 · 7:30 pm
Ryerson United Church
2195 W45th Ave, Vancouver
Ticketmaster 604.280.3311$26 | $20 |
Our New CD: Elektra's Garden
 Our latest recording, Elektra's Garden, is a collection of secular music from many parts of the world, including Spain, France, England, the United States and Canada.
The
music, much of it recently written, evocatively explores the human
experiences of nature and love. Canadian composers Allan Bevan, Eleanor
Daley, Allison Girvan, Diane Loomer, and Stephen Smith offer works
ranging from new compositions to lyrical texts to exceptional folk song
arrangements. The disc also includes two major suites: the delicate and
deservedly famous Five Hebrew Folk Songs by Eric Whitacre and Stories of the Wind from Spain's Alejandro Yagüe, which was written for Elektra.
Elektra's
Garden represents the final recording under the co-conductorship of
Morna Edmundson and Diane Loomer, C.M. (Ms. Loomer stepped down as
co-conductor at the end of the 2008/2009 season and Ms. Edmundson was
appointed sole Artistic Director of the ensemble.) As such, this CD
(recorded over the past several years), is not only a beautifully
presented collection of works sung by one of Canada's foremost choirs,
but also a fitting tribute to the musical vision and friendship that
has lead them so sensitively for 22 years.
Songs
of love and nature sung with ravishing intensity by one of Canada's
premier choirs - order your copy now from CDbaby.com (and soon to appear on iTunes!) or by contacting the choir directly by email.
(And of course, a copy of Elektra's Garden would make a great Christmas present for a friend - or yourself!)
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Thank You from the Canadian Federation of University Women White Rock/Surrey
On October 2 Elektra presented a fundraising concert for the White Rock/Surrey branch of the Canadian Federation of University Women. The concert was part of the CFUW's 50th anniversary celebrations, and the funds raised were earmarked for the organization's ongoing educational and community projects in the area.
Over 200 people crowded into the Wheelhouse Theatre to enjoy an evening of "classic Elektra" in a wide-ranging program that featured classical, folk, pop and jazz arrangements. We were thrilled to sing for such an appreciative crowd on behalf of a terrific cause.
Dear Elektra,
Thank you all for a memorable and enchanting evening.
Morna, your friendly manner made the audience feel comfortable, and your artistic ability ensured that the choir's performance was at its superlative best.
Stephen, you are truly a virtuoso pianist; it was a great treat to listen to your playing.
Soloists, you were superb.
Members of the choir, it was a pleasure to watch you, as well as to listen, because you were so engaged with the music and so full of the joy of singing.
Many, many thanks.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Bordeaux
on behalf of the Jubilee Committee
CFUW White Rock/Surrey
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Elektra Women's Choir
"To inspire and lead in the choral art form through excellence in performance and the creation, exploration and celebration of women's repertoire."
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Elektra gratefully acknowledges the ongoing support of the Canada Council for the Arts, City of Vancouver, Government of British Columbia, CBC, BordenLadnerGervais, Martha Lou Henley Charitable Foundation, the Hamber Foundation, Nancy's Very Own Foundation, and the Wolridge Foundation. Elektra also thanks its many generous individual donors and volunteers - their support makes us sing. |
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