Chor Leoni

Since its creation in 1992 by conductor Diane Loomer, Chor Leoni has become a fixture in the upper echelons of the Canadian choral world. A combination of riveting stage presence, imaginative and eclectic programming, quality a cappella singing, and a willingness to "try anything once" has captivated audiences across Canada and guaranteed wildly enthusiastic sell-out crowds wherever the lions appear. Chor Leoni was a triple winner in the biennial 2002 CBC Radio National Competition For Amateur Choirs, winning first place honours in the Men's Category, a competition-wide prize for the Best Performance of a Canadian Work, and the first time that a male choir has won this distinction - the top prize in the Contemporary Category. The choir had previously won top honours in the Men's Category in 1994 and 2000.

Diane Loomer, one of Canada's best-known musicians, has achieved international recognition as a choral conductor, teacher, and musician. An honours graduate of Gustavus Adolphus College and the University of British Columbia's School of Music, she is founder and conductor of the prize-winning men's choir, Chor Leoni, co-founder and co-director of the outstanding Elektra Women's Choir, and taught on the music faculty at the University of British Columbia for six years. Her choral compositions have been published, performed, and recorded internationally, and she has frequently appeared on CBC national radio as a commentator on and champion of the classical arts in Canada. She is the only woman to have conducted the prestigious National Youth Choir of Canada.

Discography

Circle of Compassion

And Death Shall Have No Dominion (Kenneth Jennings) Beati Mortui (Felix Mendelssohn) Christmas in the Trenches (John McCutcheon) Dulce et Decorum (Larry Nickel) O Vos Omnes (Pablo Casals) Dirge from Cymbeline (Conrad Susa) Tarantella Randall Thompson) Psaume 121 (Darius Milhaud) Vechnaya Pamiat (from Panhida No. 2) (Pavel Chesnokov) Iltapilvia (Toivo Kuula) Choose Something Like a Star (from Frostiana) (Randall Thompson) Reconciliation (Stephen Chatman) Furusato (Teiichi Okano) Der 23, Psalm (Franz Schubert) Pensive on Her Dead Gazing (Stephen Smith) Bring Him Home (from Les Miserables)

Chor Leoni is well known for its Remembrance day concerts, and this latest addition to its CD catalogue is a compilation of works performed at its most recent November concerts. "Is is dedicated to the citizens of all nationalities and faiths who have experienced loss and who deserve our compassion," writes conductor Diane Loomer. The singing is sensitive and beautiful as always, and the selections range from classics such as Schubert's setting of Psalm 23 and Randall Thompson's Choose Something Like a Star to works written for Chor Leoni, including the premiere recording of Stephen Smith's moving Pensive on Her Dead Gazing. And just try to stay dry-eyed during Bring Him Home from Les Misérables!

Canadian Safari 2

Royal Hudson (Dave Baker) RIse Again (Leon Dubinsky) The Skye Boast Song (Traditional) The Old "Mayflower" (Newfoundland Folk Song) Watching the Apples Grow (Stan Rogers) Feller from Fortune (Newfoundland Folk Song) Dondaine la ridaine (Quebec Folk Song) Indian Reels (Quebec Traditional) Trinque l'amourette (Quebec Folk Song) In the Early Morning Rain (Gordon Lightfoot) The Maple Leaf Forever (Alexander Muir) Amazing Grace (Traditional) All the Diamonds (Bruce Cockburn) The Nancy (Stan Rogers) Heather Bonn/Island Ferry (Mad Pudding) The Black Fly Song (Wade Hemsworth) April in Whitehorse (Murray Grand) The Mary Ellen Carter (Stan Rogers) Blow the Wind Southerly (Northumberland Folk Song) Springtime in Alberta (Ian Tyson) Frobisher Bay (James Gordon) The Field Behind the Plow (Stan Rogers) Kettl Valley Railroad (Dave Baker) The Williams Lake Stampede (Alan Moberg) Canadian Pacific (Ray Griff)

Diane Loomer, founder of Chor Leoni in 1992 with the purpose of singing the best, most difficult "classical" works for male choir, is unable to explain how the lions have now recorded their 3rd CD of folk songs. One good reason seems to be that Canadian folk music is the art of the people - sometimes rough, sometimes achingly beautiful, humorous, whimsical, warm and full of heart. Although they are using more accompaniment now and have performed with several symphony orchestras, the spirit, energy and sheer vocal power of Chor Leoni is as infectious as ever. "Safari 2" is a generous 2-CD collection of 25 tunes. Many favorites, but in particular "Royal Hudson," the foot-stomping "Watching the Apples Grow," "Feller from Fortune," "Trinque l'amourette," Gordon Lightfoot's classic "In the Early Morning Rain," the rousing "The Nancy," "The Black Fly Song," "The Mary Ellen Carter," "The Field Behind The Plow," "The Williams Lake Stampede" and "Canadian Pacific." A powerful, big fun 6th CD from the lions of the North country!

7276 CD $15.98

Songs of War & Peace

For The Fallen In Flanders Field A Stopwatch And And Ordinance Map Blow Ye The Trumpet Parti De Mal Il Bravido Soldier's Chorus Varjele, Jumala Soasta Una Sanosa Porfia Danny Deever An Irish Airman Foresees His Death Sydameni Laulu And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda Songs Soldiers Sing The Minstrel Boy Over Yonder We Shall Walk Through The Valley In Peace

"Songs" joins 6 other strong recordings by Vancouver's prize-winning pride of lions, led by Loomer, one of Canada's top choral conductors (she also conducts the Amabile Singers, the UBC Choral Union and is co-conductor of Canada's award-winning women's choir Electra). "Songs of War and Peace" reflects the various reactions of artists and composers to war, some are swept up in the swell of nationalism and idealism and glorified the bravery of soldiers, others have written songs to encourage the troops and pray for their safety, and some have spoken out against the glorification of warfare. The lightly-accompanied songlist focuses first on the sacrifice and loss of the soldiers with Mike Sammes' "For the Fallen," John McRae's "In Flanders Field" and the stark, frightening "A Stopwatch and an Ordnance Map" by Samuel Barber and Kirke Mechem's haunting "Blow Ye the Trumpet." The cheery, martial air of Charles Gounod's "Soldier's Chorus" provides a counterpoint to the powerful, dark story of Percy Grainger's "Danny Deever," the poignant "An Irish Airman Foresees His Death," and Eric Bogle's Australian ballad "And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda." Particularly touching is the medley "Songs Soldiers Sing," which includes "Lilli Marlene," "It's a Long Way to Tipperary," White Cliffs of Dover," "Pack Up Your Troubles" and "We'll Meet Again." The Irish air "The Minstrel Boy" and a pair of American Spirituals, "Over Yonder" and "We Shall Walk Through the Valley in Peace" provide a fitting close to this powerful, thought-provoking collection.

8465 CD $15.95

Goin' Home

Three Folk Songs: Fengyang Ge Minoi, Minoi Dalvi duoddar luohti The Lion Sleeps Tonight (Wimoweh) Jing-ga-lye-ah Gaudeamus igitur Drink to my only with thine eyes Dulaman Kolm mul oli kaunist sona Suo Gan Bright Morning Star Shenandoah Goin' Home Loch Lomond Christmas Angel

"Goin' Home is Chor Leoni's sixth CD­each one we rave about, and each one is better than the last! Internationally acclaimed conductor Diane Loomer's flawless direction and song selection keep the Vancouver, BC-based all-male choir going in the right direction. As Canada is composed of citizens from every corner of the world, the object of "Goin'" was to collect and present folk songs from many of these countries, in the hope that CL's audience would experience "the bittersweet tightness in the throat and tear in the eye that only comes when you are goin' home." 18 richly textured a cappella songs, beginning with 3 dramatic Ainu folk tunes, "Bear Festival," "Piraka" and "Whale Festival," and continuing with "Fenyang Ge" and "Minoi, Minoi," Anhui and Samoan folk songs, respectively. Following are the Lapp folk song, "Dalvi duoddar luohti," and one of the best covers of the Zulu tune "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" we've heard. German, English, Irish, Estonian, and Welsh folk songs delight the crowd (this is a live performance, although the audience is almost edited out). A couple of nice American songs, the Appalachian folk song "Bright Morning Star" and "Shenandoah," precede the title tune by Antonin Dvorak, the Scottish tune "Loch Lomond" and "Christmas Angel." Sweet harmonies and what we can only call "personality" pour forth from CL like water from a Canadian stream. Recommended!

6863 CD $15.98

Magnificat

Carols And Lullabies: Christmas In The Southwest - Conrad Susa Lauda Per La Nativita Del Signore - Ottorino Respighi Magnificat - Rupert Lang

We have reviewed five CDs by the talented men of Canada's "Choral Lions," and we have loved them all! Conductor and founder Loomer seems to call forth and inspire the rich, powerful baritone and bass parts, providing the ground for the soaring leads of the altos and tenors. "Magnificat" is a lightly-accompanied Christmas collection, beginning with Contrad Susa's delightful 10-part "Christmas in the Southwest," continuing with the Elektra Women's Choir on Ottorino Respighi's "Lauda per la Nativita del Signore," and closing beautifully with Rupert Lang's 7-part title tune, "Magnificat." Listen to Susa's joyous "Campana Sobre Campana," "En Belen Tocan a Fuego" and "En Noi de la Mare" to get a taste of this delectable, surprising Christmas collection from one of our favorite male ensembles.

Canadian Safari

Fogarty's Cove The Water Is Wide Veve L'Amour Away From the Roll of the Sea Ave Maris Stella Chi Mi Na Mor Bheanna Song For the Mira She's Like a Swallow Red River Valley The Carrion Crow Potlach Fair Northwest Passage Four Strong Winds Dondaine La Ridaine Wood River Oh Mary, Come Home Grand Hotel Drunken Sailor Barrett's Privateers Make and Break Harbour

Chor (Greek for choir), Leoni, (Italian for Lions) was formed in 1992 by director Diane Loomer to give skilled male singers an opportunity to gather and sing challenging repertoire. Quality a cappella singing, strong arrangements and a willingness to "try anything once" have led these 46 men to the upper echelons of the Canadian choral world. This CD is a treat for us fans of folk music, 20 better- and lesser-known Canadian folk songs, from "Fogarty's Cove" ("She cries when I'm away to sea, nags me when I'm with her, She'd rather I'd a government job or maybe go on the dole"), "Vive L'Amour," and "Away From The Roll of the Sea" to the Nova Scotia folk song "The Carrion Crow," "Northwest Passage," "Wood River," the British Columbia tune "Grand Hotel" and "Make and Break Harbor," this is all great stuff. Some light accompaniment here and there by piano, clarinet, bass, harmonica, guitar and spoons, but make no mistake­the focus is one of the best male choruses we've heard, and folk music is their meat. From the deep bass harmonies to sweet, soaring tenor solos, "Safari" is cut after cut of achingly lovely, heartstrings-tugging stuff!

6767 CD $15.98

Chor Leoni

Duo Seraphim Beata Viscera Cantique de Jean Racine Sanctus & Benedictus from Messe a trois voix Agnus Dei from Messe a trois voix Ubi Caritas Magnificat Repleti Sunt Omnes Spaseniye sodelal Die Nacht Standchen Kung Liljekonvalje Traumlicht from Drei Mannerchore How Sweet the Moonlight Sleeps

This fifth release from Vancouver's pride of lions features a mostly sacred and deeply moving program of works ranging from the 12th to the 20th centuries. Canadian baritone Bret Polegato guests on one of the few non-sacred pieces, Schubert's beautiful Stänchen for soloist and men's choir. Other highlights include 12th century organum by Pérotin, Beata Viscera, excerpts from Caplet's Messe à trois voix, a beautiful and seamless performance of Faure's Cantique de Jean Racine transcribed for men's voices, and Michael Head's stunning How Sweet the Moonlight Sleeps.

6864 CD $15.98

Yuletide Fires

Hodie Christus Natus Est (Gregorian chant) God Rest You Merry (English carol) Huron Carol (Canadian carol) Letabundus (Sarum chant) As Joseph Was A-Walking (Appalachian carol) Es ist ein Ros' entspungen (Traditional / Michael Praetorious) Le sommeil de l'enfant Jesus (Cantique traditional) Veni, Veni Emmanual (Gregorian chant) Yuletide Fires (Diane Loomer) Nouvelle agreable! (Cantique traditionnel) The Lord at First (English carol) Lux Aeterna (Gregorian chant) Quelle est cetter odeur agreable (Cantique traditionnel) Veni Redemptor Gencium (Sarum chant) Dostoyno Yest (Nikolai Golovanov) Svete Tihiy (Aleksandr Nikolsky) Alma Redemptoris Mater (Gregorian chant) Stille Nacht (Franz Gruber) Drei Konige (Peter Cornelius) Rise Up Shepherd (American traditional) Christmas Angel (Corlynn Hanney) Still, still, still (Austrian carol)

Vancouver BC's finest, Chor Leoni Men's Choir has delighted us in previous CDs, particularly with Folk tunes and sea shanties. Here we have a sumptuous, rich collection of 22 Christmas songs that show off CL's range, talent and feeling. From the Gregorian chants "Hodie Christus Natus Est," "Veni, Veni Emanuel," "Lux Aeterna," and "Alma Redemptoris Mater," the English carol "God Rest You Merry Gentlemen," and the Canadian "Huron Carol," to Diane Loomer's title tune, the Sarum chant "Veni Redemtor Gencium: and the Austrian carol "Still, Still, Still," this is great stuff. There is some light accompaniment such as organ on a few cuts, but basically this is just a great male chorus showing off its chops on Christmas music ranging from the traditional and well-known to unknown and eclectic. Highly recommended.

Listen to "Veni, Veni Emmanual" in Real Audio.

Choral Collection Vol. 1

Ubi Caritas Jung-ga-lye-ya Goin' Home TTBB a cappella

'Ubi Caritas' is a setting of the second verse of the beautiful Maundy Thursday text. The work's character and melodic structure is strongly based on chant and, as a result, requires a sensitive approach to subtle tempo changes, text and phrasing. After several climactic sections, the piece ends very simply and pognantly with a request for peace and understanding. 'Jing-ga-lye-ya' was an instant success for Chor Leoni Men's Choir. Using nonsense words, it is rhythmic and upbeat, and uses cyclical repetition in the parts creating an incredibly catchy groove! Loomer's arrangement of 'Goin Home,' the folksong/principal theme from Dvorak's New World Symphony with baritone solo, was written for Chor Leoni and calls for low D flats from the basses... but you do have their permission to change keys!

Choral Collection Vol. 2

Fogarty's Cove Ave, Maris Stella Loch Lomond TTBB a cappella

Stan Rogers, Canada's folk music hero speaks to all of us through his words and music. 'Fogarty's Cove' is faithful to Stan's musical Style and it's great to sing! 'Ave, Maris Stella' is a favorite Nova Scotia Latin canticle witha simple harmonic arrangement. Included is a solo for tenor or unison tenor section. 'Loch Lomond' begins witha tenor or baritone solo, and develops into a rousing rhythmic chorus which drives to the end of the piece. in between are richly textured choral verses.

Choral Christmas Collection

Christmas Angel Silent Night Magnificat Yuletide Fires TTBB a cappella

A perennial favourite with Vancouver audiences, Corlynn's sweet and gentle 'Christmas Angel' has elements of traditional and popular music. it is sure to be a hit with your audiences too. A smooth and jazzy version of 'Silent Night,' this piece is straightforward and suitable for any Christmas concert. Written in a traditional chant-like style with unison lines alternating with lush harmonic passages, Chor Leoni discovered Willan's previously unpublished version of 'Magnificat' and instantly fell in love with it. One of Chor Leoni's favourite modern Christmas carols, 'Yuletide Fires' is as warm and glowing as a glass of mulled wine.

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