As part of a series of memorial releases for Harry Somers (1925 - 1999), the Canadian Music Centre presents a varied and very attractive selection of choral works. Somers was known as a master vocal composer. While his songs are often quite radical in their methods of vocal production and isolation of individual word-sounds, not to mention many of them being atonal in style, he seems consciously to have kept his choral music within easier musical boundaries, probably for practicality.
Nearly the only piece on this with a large proportion of unorthodox techniques is "Crucifixion," a seven-minute dramatic setting of the events of Christ's execution. It is accompanied by English horn (wonderfully played by
Lawrence Cherney), two trumpets, harp, percussion, and timpani, while the chorus often speaks, chants, and makes strange vocal sounds. One of the few other works on the disc with vocal sound effects is "Spotted Snakes," a setting of a lullaby from Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream where there as sustained "ssshuussh" sounds. The chorus in all selections is the
Elmer Iseler Singers, perhaps Canada's best group of its sort. The only disappointing thing about the work on this disc is they also sing the two works written for children's chorus that are included. The pianist (organist in one selection) is Ruth Watson Henderson, who is joined as duo pianist by
Lydia Adams in "Bless'd Is the Garden of the Lord."
The reputation Canada has (and the CMC has in particular) for consistently outstanding sound recording is upheld in this fine taping by producer David Jaeger and engineer David Quinney. The recording was made at the church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields of Toronto and retains a pleasant spacious churchly ambience. A strong recommendation for lovers of good choral music.