Last night's show apparently underwent a number of changes since the initial announcement. Two nights became one, Corigliano's setting of "Fern Hill" from his
Dylan Thomas Trilogy was replaced by his a capella work "L'invitation au voyage" using
Wilbur’s translation of
Baudelaire’s poem. Pierre Mercure was dropped altogether. Despite the inconsistencies before the concert, yesterday's performances were sound, coherent, at times touching in their sweetness. Nicole Paiement commented on the audience's courage to face modern choral works, but we were treated to a selection of very accessible and harmonious 20th Ct. compositions. One exception that offered some dissonance was Canadian composer
Sid Robinovitch’s "Awakenings" using excerpts from
Piedra da Sol by Octavio Paz. It was the highlight of the evening for me. By the way, if you followed the last link you might have discovered that you can enjoy (free) music streams on the
Canadian Music Centre website when you choose "Listen to Archival Recording(s)" on the
composer's page. Among other goodies you'll find Robinovitch’s "Canciones por las Americas" presenting more poetry by Paz ("Olvido"), by Nicolás Guillén (
"Sensemaya"), and Juana de Ibarbourou ("Noche de Lluvia"). The Canciones were an exciting offering of last December's
New Music Works concert.
Last night's show apparently underwent a number of changes since the initial announcement. Two nights became one, Corigliano's setting of "Fern Hill" from his Dylan Thomas Trilogy was replaced by his a capella work "L'invitation au voyage" using Wilbur’s translation of Baudelaire’s poem. Pierre Mercure was dropped altogether. Despite the inconsistencies before the concert, yesterday's performances were sound, coherent, at times touching in their sweetness. Nicole Paiement commented on the audience's courage to face modern choral works, but we were treated to a selection of very accessible and harmonious 20th Ct. compositions. One exception that offered some dissonance was Canadian composer Sid Robinovitch’s "Awakenings" using excerpts from Piedra da Sol by Octavio Paz. It was the highlight of the evening for me. By the way, if you followed the last link you might have discovered that you can enjoy (free) music streams on the Canadian Music Centre website when you choose "Listen to Archival Recording(s)" on the composer's page. Among other goodies you'll find Robinovitch’s "Canciones por las Americas" presenting more poetry by Paz ("Olvido"), by Nicolás Guillén ("Sensemaya"), and Juana de Ibarbourou ("Noche de Lluvia"). The Canciones were an exciting offering of last December's New Music Works concert.
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