Their Spirit Lives

A phrase of melody, the scent of a flower - and a once familiar face appears clearly in the mirror of memory. Chor Leoni commemorates those lost to us, be they soldiers, peacekeepers, or loved ones, in Their Spirit Lives. The program includes powerful works by Randall Thompson and Eugon SuchoÀ as well as the world premiere of Pensive on Her Dead Gazing, by Vancouver composer Stephen Smith.

"Stephen's work speaks to the central point of our concert," comments Diane Loomer. The choir's Artistic Director continues, "Through the memories of friends and loved ones we are remembered, cherished, and in a sense, reborn."

Smith sets a poem from Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass for this commission by Chor Leoni.The work describes the Universal Mother viewing a battlefield and charging the earth to "lose not my sons." The poem's powerfully moving text resonates strongly with us today in light of Canadian casualties in Afghanistan. Smith's setting of the final refrain is masterful:

"Give me my darlings back again,
Give my immortal heroes back.
Centuries hence, exhale me them, breathe me their breath.
Give my immortal heroes back, let not an atom be lost."

Upon seeing the work for the first time, Chor Leoni's reading faltered a bit - not because of the musical difficulty but because of the work's beauty and aching sadness. The choir is honoured to be premiering such a timely and yet timeless piece of music.

Lest people think Their Spirit Lives is all sadness there is hope in Veljo Tormis' Kord me tuleme tagasi (Once We Will Reappear) which speaks of a homeland's lasting traditions, Rupert Lang's Kontakion, with its gentle congregational benediction, and fire in the bravura singing of SuchoÀ's Slovenská PieseÀ,  which speaks of calling everyone into a huge ring dance celebrating the power of music.

Sadness, hope, gentleness, and an invitation to dance: Their Spirit Lives is Chor Leoni's fourteenth Remembrance Day commemoration and we invite you to make it part of your own as well. Tickets are available from Ticketmaster (for Lower Mainland performances) and from the sources listed above in the Victoria area.