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Each year, I review quite a few male classical a cappella groups, but relatively few female ensembles, and that's a shame. Sensational companies like the Elektra Women's Choir really do deserve widespread critical acclaim--and a much wider audience. On Child of Grace, the choir presents 21 classical cuts, 13 short sacred works and one extended piece, "Sir Christemas," which consists of eight tracks. All pieces (except cuts 7-10) are either written by or arranged by Canadian composers. The lengthy liner notes provide all the lyrics.

The music is exquisite. The album is not purely a cappella; only six numbers are actually sung without instrumentation. The accompaniment for these women is expertly done, not overbearing, and manages to enhance, rather than detract from, the choir's excellent vocals. The CD is uplifting and lovely at the most visceral levels.

Child of Grace opens elegantly with 15th century text in "Adam Lay Ybounden"; the choral voices have a haunting purity that remains long after the music stops, and the soloists exude a fragile beauty that intertwines in rare harmony. The album includes some fun surprises, including whistling on "Carol for the Animals" and exuberant, almost rowdy, accompaniment on the 22-minute "Sir Christemas" work. My favorite pieces include the wonderful "Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day" with its rat-a-tat percussion, and the glorious "The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy" (an a cappella rendition that is one of the best I have ever heard).

The Elektra Women's Choir Child of Grace is an excellent seasonal CD that embodies grace and enchantment. You will not recognize most of the numbers, and you may not yet be familiar with this exciting ensemble; still, if you yearn for classical excellence that will keep you enraptured long after the Christmas tree is back in the closet, this offering may be the perfect one for you!

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2005)

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From the liner notes:

Elektra Women's Choir
Diane Loomer, C.M., and Morna Edmundson, Co-Directors
Eric Hominick and Stephen Smith, piano
Marliss MacAuley, flute
Cyrena Huang, cello
Rita Costanzi, harp
Sal Ferraras, percussion
Sopranos: 30 members
Altos: 27 members

All tracks except 7,8,9 & 10 are by Canadian composers or arrangers.

From the Web site:

ELEKTRA WOMEN'S CHOIR was founded by co-directors Morna Edmundson and Diane Loomer in 1987 and is now regarded as a leader in the classical women's choir movement worldwide. Its mandate is to inspire and lead in the choral art form through excellence in performance and through the creation, exploration, and celebration of women's repertoire. Elektra is known for its adventurous programming, seeking out music written specifically for women and frequently commissioning new works. The singers are selected by audition and share an enthusiasm for challenging repertoire.

"Child of Grace" brings together some of Elektra Women's Choir's favourite pieces of Christmas repertoire in English. Here you will find thirteen short sacred works - nine outstanding and lyrical offerings by some of Canada's best living composers and a further four from Norway, England and the United States. Although the music may be new to you, the words will probably resonate deeply, as many have been sung for decades and even centuries in other settings. A notable exception is Knut Nystedt's haunting setting of contemporary American poet Luci Shaw's "Mary's Song." In Derek Holman's extended Christmas work "Sir Christemas," the listener is sure to enjoy the composer's witty and well-crafted treatment of Christmas texts from 15th and 16th century England. Here holly and ivy vie for first place, and carollers, having been refused a drink, curse the darkened house and its unfeeling occupants as they walk away. With its colourful accompaniment of flute, cello, harp, piano and percussion, this 22-minute work is a delight. We hope you enjoy this gift of Christmas tunes - it's music not only for the bleak midwinter but also all year long!

Elektra Women's Choir

Child of Grace

Artist link

Track List