Elektra Women's Choir: Romance: Schumann, Brahms & Fauré June 6, 2010

Elektra closes the season with a return to some of the glorious music written during a compositional Golden Age, the Romantic Era. Morna has opened a treasure chest of repertoire, with selections by Franck, Schumann, Brahms and Fauré, to showcase Elektra’s lustrous sound.

The nineteenth century saw the development of the piano as a musical instrument for both solo work and accompaniment, as exemplified in the works by Schumann, Fauré and Franck chosen for this concert. Elektra is fortunate to once again have the renowned Stephen Smith on the piano bench, contributing his artistry to the performance.

The central work on the program is Brahm’s Four Songs for Women’s Chorus, two horns and harp Op. 17. Lyrical, subdued and full of warm nostalgia, the vocal lines are masterfully set amongst the rich sonority of their accompaniment.

Elektra is delighted to welcome the young women of Mira, the choir’s mentorship program to participate in Romance. These high school-aged singers have rehearsed selected repertoire from this program and will sing with Elektra for parts of this performance.

Romance offers an early summer afternoon’s entertainment, and an invitation into a musical age where fantasy, imagination, and a quest for adventure and far away lands played an important role. Come and be born away into the golden reveries of Romance: Schumann, Brahms, & Fauré.

Official Website: http://www.elektra.ca