The works on this recording demonstrate the extraordinary diversity of late 20th-century Canadian choral composition. The texts that these four composers have chosen celebrate ecological, poetic, erotic, magical, and religious themes, and the musical styles are similarly varied. The singing mode predominates, but whispering, loud breathing, humming, whistling, and other unusual choral techniques are used in the works of Louie and Schafer. All of the works show a polished command of choral sonorities and a fine feeling for the nuance of how to set a text to music.

« The music on the release is well played, sung and recorded. What’s more, it’s Canadian. You can’t go wrong with this fine recording. » – Robert Jordan, Sound Notes

Visit the Vancouver Chamber Choir at http://www.vancouverchamberchoir.com

ALEXINA LOUIE

1-4. Love Songs for a Small Planet

IMANT RAMINSH

5. In the night we shall go in

(with/avec CBC Vancouver Orchestra)

R. MURRAY SCHAFER

6-14. Magic Songs

IMANT RAMINSH

15. Psalm 121

(with/avec CBC Vancouver Orchestra)

SRUL IRVING GLICK

16-21. Canticle of Peace

IMANT RAMINSH

22. Smile, O voluptuous cool-breath’d earth

PERFORMERS:

Erica Goodman, harp/harpe; Salvador Ferreras, percussion; Ian Hampton, cello/violoncelle; CBC Vancouver Orchestra (strings/cordes); Linda Lee Thomas, piano.