LSM Newswire

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Prestigious CD Label Features Canadian Composer

Lamentatio Jeremiae Prophetae by Peter-Anthony Togni
A deeply expressive piece with ancient origins for modern times

Performance & CD Launch on ECM label ’Äì A Canadian First!
Saturday, November 14, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. at St. Anne’Äôs Anglican Church
Elmer Iseler Singers - Lydia Adams, Conductor
Jeff Reilly, Bass Clarinet and Rebecca Whelan, Soprano
Special Guest: Peter-Anthony Togni

Toronto, ON, October 9, 2009: Virtuoso bass clarinetist Jeff Reilly and soprano Rebecca Whelan join the celebrated Elmer Iseler Singers and conductor Lydia Adams for the performance and CD launch of Lamentatio Jeremiae Prophetae: Concerto for bass clarinet and choir (2007), by Halifax composer Peter-Anthony Togni on Saturday, November 14, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. (please note starting time) at St. Anne’Äôs Anglican Church in Toronto. The new CD will be available at the November 14 concert, and will become available at Canadian retailers in January 2010.

Weaving an intricate, universal tale of a prophet who speaks the truth and is disregarded, Jeff Reilly, often improvising the bass clarinet, Rebecca Whelan, and the 20-voiced ensemble offer a poignant interpretation of Lamentatio Jeremiae Prophetae (Lamentations of Jeremiah), a compelling and expressive piece that was commissioned by the Canada Council for the Arts. This is the first work by a Canadian composer to appear on the prestigious ECM label (under the guidance of producer/guru Manfred Eicher) as part of the ECM New Series, which has launched the careers of some of the world's most famous contemporary composers. In the year of its 40th anniversary, ECM Records has been named both Classical and Jazz Label Of The Year by the world's leading publications in these genres, Gramophone and Downbeat respectively.

After a world premiere in Toronto in 2007 and a 2008 tour in Nova Scotia, Lamentatio Jeremiae Prophetae was recorded in Halifax in October 2008 in the richly acoustical All Saints Cathedral in Halifax, Nova Scotia. As Keith Horner explains in his CD liner notes, Lamentatio Jeremiae Prophetae is ’Äúa virtuoso concerto, incorporating improvisation and choral support’Äù. Composer Peter-Anthony Togni points out that the origins of the word ’Äòconcerto’Äô embrace the concept of ’Äòplaying together.’Äô ’ÄúSo I wanted this sense of performing together, and still have the bass clarinet as concerto virtuoso and improviser, and then combine this with the challenge of telling a story,’Äù adds Togni.

"Togni's music is deeply felt, simply put well-crafted and irradiated by a personal sense of the divine’Ķ Jeff Reilly is an undisputed master of the Bass Clarinet who has gone to the end to explore its sonic universe."
’Äì Halifax Herald

Lamentatio Jeremiae Prophetae (Lamentations of Jeremiah): Concert/CD Launch
Saturday, November 14, 2009 at 3:00 p.m.
The Elmer Iseler Singers, Lydia Adams, conductor
Soloists: Bass clarinetist/improviser Jeff Reilly, soprano Rebecca Whelan
Special Guest: Peter-Anthony Togni
St. Anne’Äôs Anglican Church: 270 Gladstone Avenue, Toronto
For tickets (Reg. $35/ Sen. $30/ Students $10) please call 416-217-0537
Group rates available http://www.elmeriselersingers.com/

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