to a degree. which Simoon is the last part. Based on a Thread of Winter If there is no story, then what’s the work short play by August Strindberg, Simoon Leslie Fagan; Lorin Shalanko about? Wilson’s series of powerful recurrent was never performed in a full version during Canadian Art Song Series stage images drawn from the famous physi- the composer’s lifetime. The subject matter, (canadianartsong.ca) cist Albert Einstein’s life serve as the work’s as gloomy as the uprooted Scot’s preferred L/R frame. The dramatic device is imaginatively music, is a tale of revenge and “murder by ! When reviewing underpinned by Glass’ composition for solo- suggestion,” as Chisholm has referred to it. (in early 2004) the ists, chorus and his instrumental ensemble. Polished orchestral characterizations, Bartók- first solo album by It’s further explored by the masterfully like cascading moods and an overlapping of Leslie Fagan, I stated conceived and movingly performed modern Western and Eastern musical idioms are just that “she is in a dance sequences choreographed by Childs. three reasons why this opera should have class of her own.” This new DVD release accurately reflects been recorded long ago. As it is, with the What a pleasure to the superb 2012 production I saw at Toronto’s help of the Erik Chisholm Trust, it is making conclude, some 12 Luminato that same year. Highlights of that its long overdue debut – and rightfully years later, that she performance included violin virtuoso Jennifer in Scotland! remains just as original. Her career has taken Koh made up to resemble Einstein – a life- Robert Tomas her to the world’s most important concert long amateur violinist – and the impres- stages, providing Fagan with opportunities to sively precise chorus masterfully conducted Derek Holman – A Play of Passion present both traditional (Handel, Mahler) and by the veteran Glass Ensemble member Colin Ainsworth; Stephen Ralls; Bruce contemporary (Poulenc, Kulesha) repertoire. Michael Riesman. David Cromwell’s impro- Ubukata She is also active as a voice teacher, in schools vised soulful modal jazzy saxophone solo is a Centrediscs CMCCD 23016 musiccentre.ca ranging from Wilfrid Laurier to Juilliard. It is standout on the DVD, as is the reflective aria that latter school’s reverence for the American in the Bed scene, both in Act IV. ! This Centrediscs Songbook that prompted Fagan to record this In the final scene a bus driver tenderly release offers a fine first album of the Canadian Art Song Series. retells one of the oldest of stories, that of selection of works Much to no one’s surprise, Canadian the wondrous beauty and boundlessness of by distinguished composers such as Gary Kulesha, James romantic love. Isn’t that a theme which fuels Canadian composer Gordon, Walter MacNutt, Imant Raminsh, many an opera? I find Einstein a touching, Derek Holman Jeff Smallman and others, have been steadily moving and oddly reassuring work, one (b.1931). British- amassing a repertoire of songs, set to the which I’ll be revisiting soon. born Holman’s vocal words of both Canadian and international Andrew Timar expertise shows here poets. It is perhaps our ongoing doubt about in well-chosen texts and effective settings the nature of Canadian identity that prevents Erik Chisholm – Simoon (Opera in One Act with memorable moments. His musical style us from recognizing and celebrating this on a play by Strindberg) addresses emotionally difficult terrain with treasure trove in the way the American Irwin; Sheffield; Thantrey; Drummond; sensitivity and a sure touch, pensive yet not Songbook is usually feted. I have a feeling Music Co-OPERAtive Scotland; Ian Ryan morbid. Canadian tenor Colin Ainsworth’s that Prof. Fagan will soon change that, at least Delphian DCD34139 delphianrecords.co.uk tone, diction and phrasing are praiseworthy among her students. throughout, as are the secure support and In this first of hopefully many recordings, ! Luke 4:24 “Truly, I interpretative contributions of collaborative Fagan is in great form: clear, lyrical, playful say to you, no prophet pianist Stephen Ralls. (in Six Nursery Rhymes by Peter Tiefenbach) is acceptable in his A few song highlights: in the elegiac cycle and pensive. She is showcasing not only her hometown.” These A Lasting Spring (2004), I especially appre- beautiful soprano (so reminiscent of her erst- biblical words must ciate the setting of Robert Herrick’s To Music, while teacher, Ileana Cortubas), but also have been ringing in including the repeated text “melt my pains” an interpretive range to be envied. Lorin Erik Chisholm’s ears as the poet asks for a glimpse of heavenly Shalanko’s accompaniment is superb – fully like derisive laughter. light. In The Burning of the Leaves from A supportive and intelligent, bringing to mind Born in Glasgow in Play of Passion (2010), Ainsworth delivers some of Gerald Moore’s best recordings. 1904, the concert pianist and composer was a heartfelt warning of poet and composer Robert Tomas promoting the Scottish musical tradition from against idle nostalgia in a thrilling passage the very beginning. In addition to incorpor- capped by the disc’s highest note (C). From Winter ating folk music in his compositions, he also the same cycle, the setting and singing of Voces8 co-founded the Scottish Ballet Society and Care-charmer Sleepe (Samuel Daniel) with its Decca 483 0968 Celtic Ballet. After that, in Glasgow, he set insomniac repeated treble line, are hypnotic L/R up the Active Society for the Propagation of and wonderful. Another subtlety: the final ! The cover art of Contemporary Music. Aside from bringing the song of The Death of Orpheus (2005) has an Voces8’s Winter likes of Szymanowski, Bartók and Hindemith insubstantial little arpeggiated downward accurately repre- to Scottish audiences, he also conducted the figure, the ghost of Greek mythology’s most sents this gorgeous, British premieres of many operas, including famous musician not rising, but here going chill compilation of Les Troyens by Berlioz. down to Hades a second time (post-death) choral pieces written Despite all this, he was never offered a to meet Eurydice in the Elysian Fields. The and arranged by position commensurate with his efforts in disc also includes Bruce Ubukata with Ralls, composers from his native country. So in 1946, when he was ably playing the clever, often bi-tonal two- countries of Northern offered the Chair of Music at Cape Town piano work Variations on a Melody by Doctor climes. There’s an ethereal quality to the University in South Africa, his decision might Arne (1999). recording that evokes the Aurora Borealis, have been painful, but also swift. He spent Roger Knox such as in the first track, Arnalds and the rest of his life there, after some travels Arnarson’s For Now I Am Winter. to India. He produced many operas, but also And while the season pervades the album’s composed a great deal, including a trip- themes, there’s a lot of variety. Es ist ein Ros tych of operas – Murder in Three Keys – of entsprungen is like a slo-mo version of the thewholenote.com February 1, 2017 - March 7, 2017 | 73.