Harry Somers: Chura-churum / The Merman of Orford

This new edition of Centrediscs’ A Window on Somers includes two works by Canadian composer Harry Somers – Chura-Churum (1985) for vocal octet and instrumental ensemble, and The Merman of Orford (1978), a chamber composition originally written for the Canadian Mime Theatre. A Window on Somers is a series of CDs for Centrediscs commemorating the life work of this great composer. This special series of CDs is commercially available, and showcases Somers’ vocal, choral, chamber and operatic music.

“All of the performances on the CD are polished and compelling, reaching the same exalted
artistic level of the other recordings in this series. From the minimalist Gregorian melodies to the
more complex, dense and demanding tonalities, the phrases and enigmatic harmonies are
conveyed with a solid artistic intensity. The abundant energy is matched by an equal sensitivity
in the gentle passages. The ensemble singing and playing has a remarkable clarity as well as a
wealth of rich tonal shading.”
– Jane Leibel, CAML Review

1. Chura-churum

2-15. The Merman of Orford