Chez Nous: Christmas with Elektra (2006)

It is a pleasure to welcome you to our third Chez Nous – Christmas with Elektra. Our hope is always that this concert will, through, songs and readings, help you anticipate and prepare for the approaching Christmas season. There are always so many things to look forward to in this time of the year – traditions that must be kept, carols that must be sung, children’s expectant faces that bring all of us joy and perhaps even a few changes that will bring new life and understanding to the meaning of Christmas.

This season is Elektra’s 20th anniversary. To celebrate, we welcome back a cherished friend and artist, Rita Costanzi. Together we bring you Britten’s beloved A Ceremony of Carols; a traditional Christmas work we recorded with Rita ten years ago. We also welcome the excellent Vancouver Children’s Choir under the direction of Rupert Lang, esteemed Director of Music at Christ Church Cathedral.

In keeping with Elektra’s promise to encourage Canadian composers and introduce newly composed music, we are pleased to bring you three new works – an arrangement by Stephen Smith of A Yorkshire Wassail, a newly composed Magnificat by Christine Donkin, and a new Christmas carol composed on an ancient text by Rupert Lang and arranged for the combination of women’s and children’s choirs specifically for this concert. Rounding out this programme are three delightful French carols arranged by Derek Holman, a buoyant and decidedly 21st century version of Adestes Fideles by Gyorgy Orban and a tender rendition of Jesus Christ, the Apple Tree by Andrew Carter.

Yes, early December is the time of anticipation – promises of old carols to be sung, favorite cookies to be baked, new presents to be wrapped, and children to be treasured and loved. But there is also the promise of a star, of a child being born, of hearthside fires, and warm winter sleeps. May our Chez Nous bring through our music and readings a warm awaiting of a Christmas soon to come. Season’s Greetings Morna and Diane

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