Elektra Women's Choir

The Elektra Woman's Choir was founded by co-directors Morna Edmundson and Diane Loomer in 1987 and is now regarded as a leader in the classical women's choir movement worldwide. The choir is known for its adventurous programming, seeking out music written specifically for women and frequently commissioning new works. The singers are selected by audition and share an enthusiasm for challenging repertoire. Elektra was awarded first prize for women's choirs in four consecutive rounds of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's National Choral Competition, as well as several major prizes for performance of contemporary music. In August 1996, Elektra represented Canada at the Fourth World Symposium on Choral Music in Sydney, Australia. In March 1997, Elektra was one of the highlighted choirs at the National Convention of the American Choral Directors' Association. In July 2000, it performed in Edmonton at both "Podium," the biennial convention of the Association of Canadian Choral Conductors and the ISME - International Society for Music Education's conference. Elektra is frequently heard on CBC Radio across Canada and on National Public Radio in the United States.

Discography

Sacred Voices

Mass No. 6 - Gyorgy Orban Psalm 92 - Glick Psalm 47 - Glick Psalm 23 - Glick Os Justi - Eleanor Daley Durme, Durme - arr. Alice Parker Set Me As A Seal - Richard Nance Miserere - Ugalde I Thank You God - Walker

Elektra Women's Choir unveils an eloquent collection of sacred works for treble voices. The repertoire encompasses contemporary settings by composers from Hungary, Canada, the United States, and Spain. The collection includes György Orbán's “Mass No. 6”, psalm settings by the late Srul Irving Glick, Eleanor Daley's assured “Os Justi”, the haunting lullaby “Durme, Durme” arranged by Alice Parker; the glorious “Set Me as a Seal” by Richard Nance, Eva Ugalde's dramatic “Miserere” and Gwyneth Walker's “I Thank You God”. This moving collection highlights the very essence of Elektra - complete with transcendent harmonies, thrilling melodies, and the full spectrum of the vocal palette.

Listen to Os Justi in Real Audio

Legacy

Ave Maria Stella Lullaby Northern Journey Salem, 1692 Hear My Prayer When You Are Old Four Mystical Songs Meditating at Midnight Ave Maria Northern Lights Miss Brevis Celebremust

Since 1987 the Elektra Women's Choir has been an international ambassador for the Canadian choral legacy. Under the guidance of co-conductors Morna Edmundson and Diane Loomer, they are regarded as a leader, worldwide, of seeking out and performing music written specifically for women's choir, in addition to commissioning new works. You will be treated to a playlist which includes the works of six Canadian contemporary composers of great reknown. The technically demanding quality of this performance is breath-taking. You will never forget Malcolm Forsyth's composition "Northern Journey." From traditional to contemporary sounds of women's voices this is a virtuoso recording.

Listen to Meditating at Midnight in Real Audio

Classic Elektra

Laudate Dominumirds Missa Brevis Kyria Gloria Sanctus Agnus Dei Nigra Sum Hosanna The Snow The Seeds of Love In Praise of Music First Section Second Section Third Section Vesy Vasyy Lumen Alle "Suite" de Lorca Cancion de jinete El Grito La luna Asoma Malaguena Karjan Kotiinkutsu African Celebration

This much-acclaimed women's classical choir from Vancouver, British Columbia, performs a diverse, frequently modern, repertoire drawn from many cultures world over. The ethereal "Hosanna," combines a concise traditional text with a repetitive theme and mixed meter; "The Snow," by the Romantic English composer Edward Elgar, is accompanied by two violins and piano, a delicately melodic, tonally-centered work in sonata form. "The Seeds Of Love," begins with a jazzy, engaging piano intro, alternating with a cappella choir, gradually becoming homophonic in texture; a "jazz/classical" fusion that is undeniably moving. Several Finnish composers, an Estonian, and Canadian composer Stephen Hatfield's interpretation of seven South African freedom songs, "African Celebration," round out this eclectic and adventurous recording.

Listen to El Grito in Real Audio

Skylark

O Vivens Fons Laudi Alla Vergine Maria Total Pulchra Es Wind Song Salve Regina Snowforms Follow Me to Carlow Ave Maria He Hath Entered the Heaven Jaakobin Pojat Lauliku Lapsepoli On Suuri Sun Rantas Autius Mina Olen Harman Kankaanpaasta

British Columbia's much-acclaimed Elektra Women's Choir is known for seeking out challenging music for women, and "Skylark" is certainly no exception. It celebrates a wealth of outstanding choral repertoire for women from four areas of the world, Continental Europe, Canada, Britain and the Baltic Sea. The 13 selections are rich and varied, drawing its inspiration from nature, the church and folk traditions. For example we hear "O Vivens Fons" by Medieval abbess Hildegard von Bingen, Canadian composer Richard Kidd's "Wind Song," Gustav Holst's "Ave Maria" and Veljo Tormis' magical arrangement of the Estonian folk song "Lauliku Lapsepoli." Beautiful liner notes with the words and translations.

6601 CD $15.98

From The Heart

Ave Maria Wie Lieblich Sind Deine Wohnungen Missa Brevis In Tempore Violentiae Kyrie Gloria Flos regalis Linden Lea Two Eastern Pictures Spring Summer The Lass OF Richmond Hill Follow Me Down To Carlow Reel A Bouche Away From The Roll Of The Sea She's Like The Swallow Wood River The Log Driver's Waltz Heaven Bound Train J¹entends Le Moulin

Founded in 1987, The 33-strong pride of Vancouver, British Columbia, this much-acclaimed women's classical choir, known for its adventurous programming, seeks out and commissions music written specifically for women. "From The Heart" brings us 15 pieces from ElektraÕs touring repertoire. Eight of the selections are from Canada, most of them well-known folk songs, opening with David MacIntyre's electrifying "Ave Maria," which has captivated audiences since 1994. Fine works by European, and, in particular, British composers, and the "Missa Brevis" by American composer Ron Jeffers round out a marvelous recording. All words and translations are there on the very nice liner notes.

Listen to "Ave Maria" or "Kyrie"

Josef Rheinberger- Missa et Hymni

Drei lateinische Hymnen op. 96: - Ave vivens hostia - Regina coeli - Adoramus te Wie lieblich sind deine Wohnungen op. 35 Missa in Es op. 155: -Jyrie -Gloria -Credo -Sanctus -Benedictus -Agnus Dei Sechs zweistimmige Hymnen op. 118: -Salve Regina -Memorare -Quam admirabile -Inclina Domine -Ave maris stella -Puer natus in Bethlehem

Conductor, composer, organist and music teacher Josef Gabriel Rheinberger wrote many compositions for mixed, female and male voice ensembles. The majority of his secular part songs were written for male-voice choir while his sacred pieces featured female voices. In addition to the three masses, Rheinberger wrote twenty smaller pieces for two to four part female-voice choir. On this volume of Rheinberger's sacred music, the Elektra Women's Choir with soprano Lorraine Reinhardt sings many of his two and three part hymns and the Mass in E-flat for three part choir and organ.

6897 CD $15.98

Child Of Grace

Adam Lay Ybounden O My Dear Heat Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day What Sweeter Music Carol for the Animals I Sing of a Maiden Mary's Song How Far Is It To Bethlehem? In the Bleak Midwinter Sir Christemas: The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy The Huron Carol I Saw Three Ships

The 57-strong, Vancouver, BC-based Elektra is now regarded as a leader in the classical women's choir movement worldwide. Seeking out music written specifically for women and frequently commissioning new works, the singers are selected by audition--and share an enthusiasm for challenging repertoire. "Child of Grace," a Christmas CD, is the group's 5th, and contains 21 songs, some with light accompaniment, piano and drums. This is a stunningly lovely collection of beautiful, little-known carols and Christmas songs, like Eleanor Daley's "What Sweeter Music" and "I Sing of a Maiden," and Knut Nystedt's "Mary's Song." There's a joyous group of 8 songs by Derick Holman called "Sir Christemas." Songs we've heard many times like "I Saw Three Ships," "How Far Is It to Bethlehem" and Malcolm Edwards' "Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day" are the exceptions. Each song is a gem!

Listen to "How Far Is It To Bethlehem?" in Real Audio.

A Ceremony Of Carols

Procession Wolcum Yole! There is no Rose That yonge child Balulalow As dew in Aprille This little Babe Interlude In Freezing Winter Night Spring Carol Deo Gracias Recession Amoroso Pastorcillo Al Nino Jesus La Nana Angelus and Virginem A virgin most pure Personent Hodie There is no rose Coventry Carol Tomorrow shall be my dancing day

In our opinion, probably the top women¹s choir performing today (this of course is a matter of some debate) is the Elektra Women¹s Choir, and as proof we offer their latest, "A Ceremony Of Carols," a brilliant CD of choral Christmas classics. First we have 12 cuts from Benjamin Britten's "Ceremony of Carols." Then three selections from Paul Csonka¹s "Concierto de Natividad," Then John Rutter's "Dancing Day, Parts I and II," eight songs. Featured is Rita Costanzi on harp. Just settle back in your easy chair with a Christmas toddy, put this on the stereo and let the beautiful music take you to a Christmas of another time and place.

6602 CD $15.98

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