The Canadian Art Song Project presented their latest commission in the RBA on Wednesday lunchtime.  But first we got Jorelle Williams and Steven Philcox with four songs by iconic Canadian/American composer R. Nathaniel Dett.  I confess that early 20th century American song is rarely to my taste and the first three Dett songs I found workmanlike but not especially interesting.  The fourth though; The Winding Road to a text by Tertius Van Dyke I found much more interesting.  It seemed that Dett had allowed himself to be more “American”.  There were influences from both “Negro music” and marching band here with an overall effect not unlike some of Charles Ives’ songs.  I can’t knock the performance though.  It did full justice to the songs; especially the last.

And so to the new piece.  It’s The Colour of Joy by Maria Thompson Corley which also features on the recently released album Known to Dreamers.  This is a fantastic piece dealing with the Caribbean immigrant experience in Canada and in Toronto especially though it will likely resonate with all immigrants.  The texts, by Christene A. Brown and Kanika Ambrose are poetic, evocative and pull no punches.  The theme is making a life, living a life, losing a life far from “home”; that concept that becomes ever more elusive with time.  All that in a constantly changing cultural and racial landscape.  I found it deeply, deeply moving.  The music is wonderful too.  Both the vocal line and the piano line  are extremely well crafted and fit the text like a glove.

It was written for Jonelle Sills and Steven Philcox who performed it on this occasion.  It was a full blooded performance with Jonelle’ rich soprano caressing the text and wringing full emotional value from it.  Steven’s playing was equally beautiful and emotionally committed.  I found the whole experience deeply moving.

One of CASP’s best commissions to date, I think, which is saying quite a lot.

Photo credits: Performance photos – Karen E. Reeves, group photo – Lawrence Wiliford