Elektra Women's Choir
Vancouver's Elektra Women's Choir, founded in 1987 by co-conductors Morna Edmundson (new Artistic Director) and Diane Loomer, C.M. (Conductor Emerita) is regarded as an international leader in the classical women's choir movement. 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.
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El Viento Venia Rojo - Alejandro Yague Kaipaava - Wuorela Let Me Fish Off Cape St. Mary's - Diane Loomer To Morning - Allan Bevan Rakut - Eric Whitacre Eyze Sheleg! - Eric Whitacre Larov - Eric Whitacre Kala Kalla - Eric Whitacre Temuna - Eric Whitacre Scarborough Fair - Stephen Smith Viento Estancado - Alejandro Yague La Brisa - Alejandro Yague Que Doncella se Casa con el Viento - Alejandro Yague Harp of Wild - Allan Bevan Les Angelus - Claude Debussy The Lake Isle of Innisfree - Eleonor Daley V'la l'bon Vent - Allison Girvan Love Went a-Riding - Stephen Smith Here's to Song - Diane Loomer |
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.
Listen to Let Me Fish Off Cape St. Mary's in Real Audio
| 9135 CD $15.95 |
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Mass No. 6 - Gyorgy Orban |
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
| 8355 CD $15.98 |
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Ave Maria Stella |
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
| 6562 CD $15.98 |
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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
| 6422 CD $15.98 |
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O Vivens Fons |
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 |
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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 JÕentends 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"
| 6697 CD $15.98 |
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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 |
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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.
| 6862 CD $15.98 |
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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 womenÕs choir performing today (this of course
is a matter of some debate) is the Elektra WomenÕs 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 CsonkaÕs "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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SSAA a cappella |
“Log Drivers' Waltz” is a showstopper of a piece! This work is a piece of classic Canadiana, is funny and exciting, and includes a coloratura soprano solo. “Lullaby” wonderfully crafted work uses lullaby words from many different cultures of Canada including First Nations languages, French and English. It is atmospheric and evocative, soothing the listener with overlapping textures and sounds. “O Canada” - A four part a cappella setting of Canada's national anthem with both French and English versions included.
| 9712 SHEET MUSIC $5.95 |
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SSAA a cappella |
“Adam Lay Ybounden” was written originally for a small church choir, this piece takes the ancient text and sets it with a mystical angularity, but maintaining a beautiful sense of line. Includes a small soprano solo. Written for Elektra Women's Choir, this piece is now heard around the world. Using only the words "Ave Maria" this rhythmic and visionary work is suitable for women's or very advanced children's choir. “Missa Brevis” is a short mass setting for unaccompanied women's or treble choir consists of Kyrie, Gloria, Sanctus and Agnus Dei. Although not technically demanding, the work requires sensitivity of phrasing and detailed attention to text and word stress. The heartfelt simplicity of expression underlines the inherent reverence and beauty of this liturgical text. Performance note: Missa Brevis can also be sung by a mixed chorus with tenors doubling sopranos and basses doubling altos. “Salve Regina” is one of the Catholic Church's four Marian antiphons, is set for unaccompanied women's choir and solo flute or solo soprano. With thick, luscious harmonies, this is a challenging piece of music, at times requiring 8-part divisi. The work requires a good sense of flow, attention to word stress and a convincing understanding of the piece's structure.
| 9713 SHEET MUSIC $8.50 |
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