The latest commission from the Canadian Art Song Project is Another Day by Abigail Richardson-Schulte.  It’s a setting of six poems by schoolchildren on the theme of refugees and human rights.  It’s now available on video performed by soprano Anna-Sophie Neher with Carl Matthieu Neher at the piano.

The poems are astonishingly mature and moving dealing not just with obvious topics like fear and hope  but also repressed memory and fear of losing one’ identity through assimilation.  The settings are varied though essentially tonal.  The music varies from dramatic to quietly lyrical and the composer is not afraid to leave the singer unsupported.  The performances are heartfelt and skilful.  It’s a most worthwhile new song cycle.

The video quality is fine and there is an introduction to the music by Steven Philcox and Lawrence Wiliford as well as the composer.  Additional commentary/reflection is inserted at various points in the performance.  It’s a very competent piece of video work.