This recording brings together many of Canadian composer Stephen Chatman’s major chamber music works, but includes the stunningly beautiful Earth Songs for chorus and orchestra. This work celebrates the universal spirit and beauty of our natural world. Based on settings of diverse, multilingual texts pertaining to nature and earth, the six-movement work features an eclectic array of musical approaches, influences, and both western and Chinese instruments.

« The music is a fine representation of Chatman’s musical style – the broad sweeping lines, the lyricism, and the sensitive pairing of music and text are all very much in evidence. »
– Richard Haskell, Wholenote Magazine

« The CD’s title track is the last commercial recording made by the CBC Radio Orchestra—North
America’s last remaining radio orchestra before its lamentable (and publicly protested) demise in
November 2008. For this reason alone, Earth Songs is an important recording. But one also
cannot overlook the high quality of the music, the top-notch performances of the artists, and the
generally polished presentation of the disc… »
– Brian E. Power, CAML Review

Video:

Stephen Chatman’s Earth Songs interview

– WCMA Nominations – Classical Composition of the Year Stephen Chatman – Earth Songs

1-6. Earth Songs *

7-11. From Pent-Up Aching Rivers

12-16. To The Garden The World

17-21. Creatures of Earth and Sky

22. Mountain Spirit

23. Or From That Sea of Time

* This work was nominated for a 2010 JUNO: Classical Composition of the Year.
Cette oeuvre a été nominée pour un JUNO 2010: Meilleur composition classique.

WCMA Nomination – Stephen Chatman – Earth Songs

PERFORMERS:

University of British Columbia Singers; CBC Radio Orchestra; Alain Trudel (conductor/chef d’orchestre)
Gwen Thompson, CM (violin/violon); Eric Wilson, cello/violoncelle)
Julia Nolan (alto saxophone/saxophone alto); Sandra Joy Friesen (piano)
Joy Yeh (harp/harpe)
Sara Davis Buechner (piano)
Eric Wilson (cello/violoncelle); Patricia Hoy (piano)