Arts Touring Alliance of Alberta
Dedicated to the maintenance, development and growth of a strong touring arts industry in Alberta
Journey to the land of folklore, meeting mystical saints and familiar fairy figures. From spiritual to magical, from Canadian forests to fallen ruins in Far East mountains, to the rugged shores of the British Isles, this program will send you on a musical exploration of new sonorities. Our concert will feature an eclectic selection of a cappella music by British composers Joby Talbot and Benjamin Britten, and Latvians Ēriks Ešenvalds and Uģis Prauliņš.
Inspired by the Latin Mass, our annual series explores the multitudes of expression of faith through musical works. Over the years, our featured compositions have become larger, and for the fifth edition we’re including I Coristi (Rob Curtis, director). The full feature Missa Signum Magnum by Latvian Rihards Dubrah requires a large choir divided into five groups dispersed through the performance venue, the ultimate surround-sound experience
Counted among the top ten sacred masterworks, Ein Deutsches Requiem will enshroud you with a breadth of emotions. Brahms himself envisioned his work to be a ‘Human Requiem’, not for the dead but for the living left behind. The master himself created the version for piano and four hands for a performance in 1871 in the British capital, which then became the ‘London Version’ that you will hear at this annual Good Friday concert.
Guest soloists:
Jolaine Kerley, soprano
Alexander Dobson, baritone
Leanne Regehr and Roger Admiral, piano
When our Artistic Director Michael Zaugg began his tenure, he introduced us to an eclectic array of fascinating new works, including The Nightingale, a stand-out composition by Grammy nominated Uģis Prauliņš. This virtuoso work for recorder quartet and 20 part choir will be the highlight of the program. Our guest is Flûte Alors!, the only professional recorder quartet in Canada. This unique combination of instruments and voices has inspired new Canadian works which will also be featured on the program.
A performance of two-piano works takes us from the celestial worlds of Holst’s astrological suite, The Planets, to the symphonic dances of rival gangs in Bernstein’s musical world of West-Side Story and finally to the intimate Argentinean tangos of Piazzolla. In this unique performance, selections feature the interdisciplinary use of multimedia and dance alongside music, to deepen the connection between the performers with their audience. This whirlwind journey brings the popular orchestral favourites back to audiences in captivating arrangements for piano duo
“The perfect evening of tunes, stories and musical virtuosity.” – Wellington Dominion-Post
Since their Canadian Folk Music Award-winning True Love Don’t Weep, ukulele/cello duo James Hill & Anne Janelle have toured to over 15 countries; making their mark not only as accomplished instrumentalists but also as some of the finest songwriters of their generation. In concert, James is “a dazzling live performer with a genial, low-key sense of humour” (Edmonton Journal) and Anne brings her “gorgeous syrupy voice” (Acoustic Magazine) to songs that are inventive, entertaining, beautifully written and brilliantly performed.
Crystal Shawanda is a singer/songwriter whose soulful, rootsy sound has allowed for a nearly seamless bridging of the traditional country and blues worlds, as seen in her latest album Fish Out of Water. Shawanda emerges as a confident artist, comfortable within her own skin and bold with the music she chooses to make and interpret. She’s been named CCMA Female Artist of the Year, earned numerous Aboriginal People’s Choice Awards and Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards as well as a JUNO award for “Aboriginal Album of the Year”. With a voice that is rich, powerful, charming and intimately real, Crystal Shawanda continues to electrify audiences everywhere and is considered one of Canada’s finest LIVE performers.
Humour will infuse our annual all-male production with music by Veljo Tormis, Felix Mendelssohn and Gioachino Rossini. Particularly playful works are Rondes by Swede Folke Rabe, and Finn Jaakko Mäntyjärvi’s Pseudo-Yoik. This event wouldn’t be complete without an a cappella homage to the popular music of the last century; this year we’ll dive into the 1980s with our guests the Axios Men`s Ensemble.
Out with the old, in with the new: celebrate New Year’s Eve with Pro Coro Canada! A novel tradition begins with choral works that speak to the passing of time and rebirth. Enjoy a glass of bubbly at intermission, and then join in the singing as we all make reverence to the past year and fête the next.