Saturday, November 1, 2008, Centennial Hall, 7:30pm (map)
Saturday, November 8 2008, Yorkminster Park Baptist Church, Toronto (map)
300 musicians grace the stage of Centennial Hall to launch Fanshawe Chorus London's 40th Anniversary performing Orff's "Carmina Burana" and Henderson's "Voices of Earth."
What do these astonishing works have in common? Carmina Burana and Voices of Earth explore the depths of the human spirit - even the base instincts of man. Carmina Burana's rhythmic intensity, the starkness of its harmonic structure, and its repetitive driving motifs are totally opposite to the texture of Voices of Earth.
Ruth Watson Henderson's composition, an icon of Canadian choral repertoire, juxtaposes the text of the Canticles of the Sun with the tenderness of the poetry of Archibald Lampman.
In common? I think yes. Each explores life's cycle from beginning to end, and in so doing become the perfect match to begin our anniversary year.
"We have not heard
the music of the spheres
The song of star to star, but these are sounds
More deep than human joys and human tears
That nature uses in her common rounds."
Lampman
Carmina Burana - Orff
Conductor: Gerald Fagan
Voices of Earth - Henderson
Conductor: Lydia Adams
Soloists: Leslie Fagan, Soprano; Darryl Edwards, Tenor; Mark Pedrotti, Baritone
Featuring: Fanshawe Chorus London; Amadeus Choir, Toronto; Gerald Fagan Singers; Concert Players Orchestra; St. Mary Choir School, Brenda Zadorsky, Conductor
Sponsor: @Print
Leslie Fagan's performance is sponsored in part by
Zavitz Insurance Inc.
