Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Jean-Sebastien Vallee
Release Date: 25 October 2024
Label: Atma Classique
Packaging Type: Jewel Case
No of Units: 2
Barcode: 722056288224
Description
2024 marks the 130th anniversary of the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, one of Canada's oldest, largest, and most recognized choral ensembles. Currently under the direction of Jean-Sebastien Vallee, the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir is proud to celebrate its anniversary with the release of the album Remember.
Many of the works featured on this double CD set are pieces of Canadian choral music history that have a symbolic or special meaning for the choir. They include Richte mich, Gott, a setting of Felix Mendelssohn's Psalm 43, which was performed at the choir's inaugural concert on January 15, 1895.
The music selected for this album reflects the country's musical diversity and includes traditional songs like Blanche comme la neige from Quebec and She's Like the Swallow from Newfoundland. The album also celebrates Canada's rich tradition of choral composition spanning more than a century, from Healey Willan's An Apostrophe to the Heavenly Hosts, to Srul Irving Glick's 1988 Haleluya. Yesterday's music rubs shoulders with recent commissions like Andrew Balfour's 2022 Music Is Vibration, alongside pieces by contemporary composers including Imant Raminsh, Jocelyn Morlock, Christopher Ducasse, Shireen Abu Khader, Stephanie Martin, and Stuart Beatch.
Through its performances, educational programs, and community engagement, the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir aspires to introduce its audiences to choral masterworks from the past and present. TMChoir includes 24 professional singers and over 130 auditioned and experienced volunteer choristers. The smaller professional ensemble, the Toronto Mendelssohn Singers (TMSingers) is one of Canada's leading professional chamber choirs and was created to deliver more intimate, nimble repertoire.
Currently serving as artistic director of the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir and professor of music and director of choral studies at McGill University's Schulich School of Music in Montreal, Jean-Sebastien Vallee is a sought-after conductor and pedagogue. He previously served as director of choral studies at California State University, Los Angeles, and was on the choral faculty of the University of Redlands.
Tracklisting
Flute Alors
Marie Nadeau-Tremblay; Corriveau; Milnes; Bursey
Louise Bessette
Jeffrey Stonehouse, Viviane Gosselin, Daniel Anez Garcia, Victor Alibert, Hubert Brizard, David The
Orchestre Symphonique de Laval, Alain Trudel
Arion Orchestre Baroque, Mathieu Lussier, Magali Simard-Galdes, Nicholas Scott, Melisande McNabney
Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Jean-Sebastien Vallee
Quatuor Molinari
Polina Pastirchak, Anke Vondung, Sungmin Song, Milan Siljanov, Chorwerk Ruhr, Bochumer Symphoniker,
Kammerchor Stuttgart; Barockorchester Stuttgart; Frieder Bernius; Hannah Morrison; Franziska Bobe;
Choralchor der St. Johannis-Kantorei Rostock
Capella Daleminzia, Capella Vocale Waldheim, Rene Michael Roder
Gewandhaus Children's Choir, Frank-Steffen Elster, Gewandhaus Youth Choir, Gewandhaus Choir, Gregor
Aukso - Chamber Orchestra Of The City Of Tychy, Camerata Silesia Katowice City Singers' Ensemble, Marek Mos
Herbert von Karajan; The Philharmonia Orchestra; Berliner Philharmoniker
Soloists, Netherlands Chamber Choir, Orchestra of the 18th Century, Frans Bruggen
