#3855: Choral & Vocal Works From Abroad
Listen to an hour of choral and vocal works from abroad, with music performed by the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, a setting of an Icelandic psalm by Anna Thorvaldsdottir, and songs inspired by the widows of prominent rebel leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising in Ireland.
Hear a maritime song and a folk song arranged for chorus by Estonian composer Veljo Tormis, as sung by the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir. There's music from younger Estonian composer Tonu Korvitz and a fantasy on a melody by Veljo Tormis, “Tasase Maa Laul” (“Song of the Plainland”), featuring Kadri Voorand as vocal soloist, supported by strings and by Tõnu Kõrvitz on kannel, the Estonian psaltery. Also, listen to choral music from the group Skylark, by Iceland’s Anna Thorvaldsdottir; it’s a setting of an Icelandic psalm which gives voice to an end-of-life prayer.
There’s a vocal work from Simon O’Connor & Michelle O’Rourke from their collection of songs inspired by the stories of the widows of rebel leaders involved in the 1916 Easter Rising, “Left Behind: Songs of the 1916 Widows.” Hear “From the Water (Muriel's Song)” referencing Muriel Gifford, the widow of executed leader Thomas MacDonagh. Plus, hear new music from Norwegian pianist Tord Gustavsen, in collaboration with German-Afghan singer Simin Tander, and percussionist Jarle Vespestad. It’s music drawn from Norwegian traditional songs, but sung in Pashto – both “Journey of Life” and “I See You.”
PROGRAM #3855, Choral & Vocal works from abroad (First Aired 4-25-2016)
ARTIST: Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir | Tonu Kaljuste, conductor
WORK: Veljo Tormis: Singing Aboard Ship, excerpt [1:00]
RECORDING: Veljo Tormis: Litany To Thunder
SOURCE: ECM 1687
INFO: ecmrecords.com
ARTIST: Simon O'Connor/Michelle O'Rourke, with The Jimmy Cake, and The Robinson Panoramic Quartet
WORK: Simon O'Connor/Michelle O'Rourke: From the Water (Muriel's Song) [6:37]
RECORDING: Left Behind: Songs of the 1916 Widows
SOURCE: ergodos.ie
ARTIST: Tord Gustavsen, Jarle Vespestad, Simin Tander
WORK: I See You [5:10]
RECORDING: What Was Said
SOURCE: ECM 2465
INFO: ecmrecords.com
ARTIST: Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir | Tonu Kaljuste, conductor
WORK: Veljo Tormis: Singing Aboard Ship [5:29]
RECORDING: Veljo Tormis: Litany To Thunder
SOURCE: ECM 1687
INFO: ecmrecords.com
ARTIST: Tõnu Kõrvits, Kantele | Kadri Voorand, Voice
WORK: Veljo Tormis, arr. Tonu Korvitz: Tasase Maa Laul (Song of the Plainland) [4:56]
RECORDING: Tonu Korvitz: Mirror
SOURCE: ECM Records 2327
INFO: ecmrecords.com
ARTIST: Skylark
WORK: Anna Thorvaldsdottir: Heyr þu oss himnum a (Beyond the Veil) [4:26]
RECORDING: Crossing Over
SOURCE: Sono Luminus DSL-92200
INFO: sonoluminus.com
ARTIST: Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir | Tonu Kaljuste, conductor Tallin Chamber Orchestra with Anja Lechner, Violoncello
WORK: Veljo Tormis, arr. Tonu Korvitz: Viimane Laev [6:26]
RECORDING: Tonu Korvitz: Mirror
SOURCE: ECM Records 2327
INFO: ecmrecords.com
ARTIST: Tord Gustavsen, Jarle Vespestad, Simin Tander
WORK: Journey of Life [7:26]
RECORDING: What Was Said
SOURCE: ECM 2465
INFO: ecmrecords.com
ARTIST: Sarah Neufeld
WORK: Chase the Bright and Burning [4:53]
RECORDING: The Ridge
SOURCE: Paper Bag Records
INFO: paperbagrecords.com
