The Richard Eaton Singers have always been about something larger than themselves. Not that the 120-voice choir is faint-hearted. Quite the opposite.
Under the direction of Dr. Leonard Ratzlaff, these music lovers have tackled some of the most beautiful and technically challenging music for the centuries.
They have developed a vocal flexibility, a harmonic cascade of sound that ranges from gentle whispers to soaring crescendos rippling across the hall.
Once again the renowned Edmonton chamber choir stages its final concert of the season tonight (Saturday) at McDougall United Church.
Titled Home and Away, the two-hour concert debuts music they will perform on their German tour from July 4 to 15. The departing choir of 70 performs seven concerts in 12 days in such diverse cities as Ulm situated on the River Danube, Leipzig, a trade city in Saxony and Berlin, the nation’s capital.
Ratzlaff has shoehorned numerous compositions into the program, from European composers Pavel Chenekov and Edward Elgar to Hubert Parry and Ralph Vaughn Williams.
In honour of their hosts, the choir will sing two complex sacred works composed by Johan Sebastian Bach and Felix Mendelssohn.
For the choir’s journey across Germany, Ratzlaff also highlights the works of Canadian composers. One of the concert centerpieces is the premiere of branche, a newly commissioned work by Juno-nominated composer John Estacio, former composer-in-residence at the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra.
Former St. Albert poet, Dr. Ted Blodgett, now living in White Rock, B.C., wrote the text. Ratzlaff says the poem came to Blodgett as he was sitting at home watching the rain fall off leaves.
As for Estacio’s music, Ratzlaff adds, “John has a gift for writing stately melodies. The lines are very singable and he combines them with interesting harmonic accompaniment. It’s a beautiful piece and one of the best new works I’ve conducted in years.”
Other Canadian compositions include Ruth Watson Henderson’s Magnificat and Healy Willan’s four-minute Missa Brevis.
“I wanted to reflect some of the movements from the mass, and I wanted to do something from a Canadian composer that reflects the liturgical tradition in Canada.”
The choir is a favourite of the ESO, but this is an opportunity for pure a cappella enjoyment.
“We have a very appreciate audience who have been very good to us. And this is an opportunity to hear things we don’t normally do,” Ratzlaff says.
The concert starts at 8 p.m. Advance tickets are $20 through Tix on the Square at 780-420-1757. At the door, tickets are $25 for adults, $22 for seniors and $15 for students.
