Volume 23 Issue 3 - November 2017

Beat by Beat | Choral Scene
On Sonic
Remembrance
and a Story of
Choral Life
BRIAN CHANG
Heading into the month of November remembrance, I’ve
highlighted two performances: the first is by Chorus Niagara
and the Orpheus Choir, and the second by the Toronto
Symphony Orchestra with guests. The major works in these two
performances commemorate two very different wars separated by
100 years, World War I and the war in Afghanistan. War continues to
inspire stories, and to invoke teaching, reflection and discussion. But
as we head towards Remembrance Day, it is worth reflecting on the
fact that sonic remembrance has the power to evoke things that words
alone can not. There are many options available to listeners across
the region, particularly early in the month, to experience this, in the
offerings of great composers and musicians alike.
Later in the month, on November 22, Dr. Hilary Apfelstadt, an
icon in the choral world, director of choral activities and professor
of conducting at the University of Toronto, releases her new book
on the life of Ruth Watson Henderson, I Didn’t Want To Be Boring.
Apfelstadt’s book tells the story of this remarkable musician, gathered
through interviews over several years. With over 200 choral works,
Watson Henderson’s story is anything but boring.
Lastly, at the tail end of my “quick picks” I have included a few
early holiday concerts. Make sure you check out the full listings and
get your tickets early. Holiday performances often sell out and are
amongst the most fun performances you can find anywhere!
Last Light Above the World: A War Litany
November 4 at 7:30pm, Chorus Niagara presents the world premiere
of Last Light Above the World: A War Litany by Allan Bevan. “I
scoured war diaries,” shares Bevan on the Chorus Niagara Facebook
page, “looked at war art, read letters and other war correspondence,
and delved into the large body of poetry written by people involved.”
From these sources, Bevan created a story of a couple. “He has gone
off to battle, and she is left to consider it. They become the conscience
of the work, the ones who portray the human cost of the war.” Shaw
Festival actors Hailey Gillis and Colin Palangio bring this couple to life.
Robert Cooper helms these performances with the Orpheus
Chamber Orchestra and soloists Maeve Palmer, soprano; Lillian
Brooks, mezzo-soprano; Anthony Varahidis, tenor; and Alexander
Bowie, bass. Bevan has written the soloists as “spirits” who represent
the “dead” referred to in the famous lines of John McCrae’s In
Flander’s Fields “We are the dead…” Bevan continues: “Last Light does
not pretend that there are easy answers, it is not a simple comforting…
In the poetry of WWI, generally speaking, war is neither glorified
nor vilified, it is simply recorded: all its horror, sacrifice, as well as its
unexpected beauty, compassion and forgiveness.”
The Orpheus Choir of Toronto, also conducted by Robert Cooper,
performs the same work in Toronto on November 5 at 3:30pm, Grace
Church on-the-Hill.
conducted by Craig Pike
THAT CHOIR CAROLS
featuring RESONANCE and our family carol sing-a-long
St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church
Works by WHITACRE | EMERY | DALEY | ALLAN
(73 Simcoe Street, Toronto ON) GJEILO | TWARDOWSKI | HANNEY | MEALOR
VISIT US
thatchoir.com
28 | November 2017 thewholenote.com