Elektra Women's Choir, B.C. photographer capture the human experience in concert
Humanity features songs by diverse composers and projected images by Elizabeth Larsen
Morna Edmundson with Elektra Women’s Choir. Photo by Wendy D Photography
Elektra Women’s Choir presents Humanity on March 10 at 7:30 pm at Pacific Spirit United Church and on March 11 at 7 pm at Riverside Christian Reformed Church (Agassiz) as guests of Cheam Vista Classical Concerts
IF A PICTURE paints a thousand words, Elektra Women’s Choir’s upcoming spring performance is going to be an especially expressive event. While listening to the ensemble’s 40 singers and pianist Stephen Smith perform a range well-known compositions and commissioned works during the concert called Humanity, audience members will be able to gaze upon large-scale projections of images by South Hazelton photographer Elizabeth Larsen. The way Elektra artistic director Morna Edmundson sees things, photography and music make for an especially powerful pairing.
“Music can speak in ways that words can’t, and photography can do the same thing,” Edmundson shares with Stir in a phone interview. “By layering them on top of each other, we’re hoping to have that impact of being in the moment for each piece. Music allows us to be in the moment. Time can stand still while you’re listening to music, and that’s really what this concert is inviting people to do.”
Edmundson recalls how she was travelling with Larsen years ago and noticed how her photographer friend had an uncanny ability to capture the spirit of a spontaneous moment, something deeper than what typically shows up in random snapshots.
“There was an insight into them,” Edmundson says. “She wasn’t just pointing her camera at things.”
Elizabeth Larsen. Photo by Elizabeth Larsen
Larsen lives in Gitxsan Territory, which comprises communities of northwestern B.C.’s Upper Skeena region, including those of the Kispiox, Skeena, and Bulkley Rivers. Studded by mountains, it is a stunningly beautiful part of the province. Edmundson thought it would be wonderful to incorporate some of Larsen’s images, which she narrowed down into two themes: human connection and the power of nature. The photos speak to the human experience, Edmundson says, noting that the concert aims to explore some universal emotions—but not all of them.
“There are some pieces around the pandemic, positivity, hope, and depression,” Edmundson says, “but I didn’t program any pieces about anger, rage, or violence. So it’s not representing all the things it is to be human. I wanted to look at the relationships we have in our lives, the power of community, and the beauty surrounding us where we live.”
Among the commissioned works on the program are three by Edmonton’s Laura Hawley, associate composer of the Canadian Music Centre, including her new “The Secret Wisdom of Flowers”, which was co-commissioned with five other women’s choirs from Prince George to St. John’s, Newfoundland. There’s the haunting “Ya Amar (The Moon)”, by Toronto-based Palestinian-Jordanian composer Natalie Fasheh, which is having its world premiere; and the choir’s reprise of “Your One and Only Life” by Susan Crowe, arranged by Stephen Smith. There are pieces by Black American composer, vocalist, and teacher Zanaida Robles; Italian composer Claudio Monteverdi; Montreal-based Franco-Ontarian composer Marie-Claire Saindon; Grammy-winning American composer Libby Larsen; and more.
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