Country : Canada Label : Leaf Genres and styles : Classical / classique / Contemporary Year : 2023

Andrew Balfour / Luminous Voices – Ispiciwin

· by Frédéric Cardin

Ispiciwin is an album that contributes to the National Reconciliation that is taking place between Indigenous peoples and Canada as a whole. Twelve contemporary works for choir by composers from, or inspired by, the First Nations share the program of this album, in which an atmosphere of gentleness and contemplation hangs over all the pieces. There are a few rough edges in these choral scores, the majority of which reflect affinities with the universe of today’s choral composers such as Eric Whitacre or Bob Chilcott. Andrew Balfour’s title track, Ispiciwin (which means “journey” in Cree), stands out, however, where delicate guitar (Walter MacDonald White Bear) and bass flute (Jessica McMann) accompaniments, as well as various traditional percussion instruments (also Walter MacDonald White Bear), lend a sometimes folk-like, sometimes visually evocative colour to the three-movement work. The last two pieces, by Sherryl Sewepagaham, Okawîmâw Askiy (Mother Earth) and Picikîsksîs, are also particularly appreciated: beautiful evocations of traditional songs.

Latest 360 Content

Sight + Sound | Fili Gibbons

Sight + Sound | Fili Gibbons

Opera McGill | Imeneo of Handel through the lens of Patrick Hansen

Opera McGill | Imeneo of Handel through the lens of Patrick Hansen

Mivos Quartet: three times Reich at Bourgie

Mivos Quartet: three times Reich at Bourgie

Éléonore Lagacé and “Brûlez-moi vive”: pop on fire

Éléonore Lagacé and “Brûlez-moi vive”: pop on fire

Gloin – All of your anger is actually shame (and I bet that makes you angry)

Gloin – All of your anger is actually shame (and I bet that makes you angry)

Pro Musica | Piano prodigy Jaeden Izik-Dzurko: “serious”, “introverted” and… extremely refined

Pro Musica | Piano prodigy Jaeden Izik-Dzurko: “serious”, “introverted” and… extremely refined

Boubé – Voyager

Boubé – Voyager

An Invitation to Travel by Boubé

An Invitation to Travel by Boubé

Ingrid Saint-Pierre – Five Upright Piano Songs

Ingrid Saint-Pierre – Five Upright Piano Songs

SAT | Le Couleur Changes Spectrum, But First…

SAT | Le Couleur Changes Spectrum, But First…

Whispering Worlds – Cosmic Cliffs

Whispering Worlds – Cosmic Cliffs

ContaQt/Yaz Lancaster/Evan Ziporyn – ConneQt IV

ContaQt/Yaz Lancaster/Evan Ziporyn – ConneQt IV

Nick Storring – Mirante

Nick Storring – Mirante

Housewife – Girl Of The Hour

Housewife – Girl Of The Hour

Los Pirañas – Una Oportunidad Más de Triunfar en la Vida

Los Pirañas – Una Oportunidad Más de Triunfar en la Vida

Ariane Brisson/Philip Chiu – Prokofiev: Flute and Piano Sonatas

Ariane Brisson/Philip Chiu – Prokofiev: Flute and Piano Sonatas

The girls slay Turbo Haus

The girls slay Turbo Haus

marcel – ô fornaiz

marcel – ô fornaiz

Bella White: a newer country bluegrass star

Bella White: a newer country bluegrass star

Classic Rock… Hard Rock… Bob Rock… The Damn Truth!

Classic Rock… Hard Rock… Bob Rock… The Damn Truth!

Dicko Fils: on the road to modernity for the Fulani people

Dicko Fils: on the road to modernity for the Fulani people

Ana Krstajić et Joey Reda – Confluence

Ana Krstajić et Joey Reda – Confluence

CC Duo/collectif9 – Re/String

CC Duo/collectif9 – Re/String

Jan Lisiecki – Preludes

Jan Lisiecki – Preludes

Subscribe to our newsletter