The early explorers and settlers from France and the British Isles brought to Canada a rich treasury of folk songs – and wrote many more about their experiences in their new home. To celebrate the sesquicentennial of Confederation, we offer a selection, from Beethoven’s arrangements of Scottish folk songs, to a brand new set of Canadian songs from Canadian composer Alexander Rapoport.

Featuring Whitney O’Hearn, mezzo soprano; Joel Allison, baritone; and John Fraser, reader.

Music:

• Ludwig von Beethoven: Scottish Folk Songs for two voices, violin, cello and piano.
• Ralph Vaughan Williams: Three Old English Folk Songs for voice and violin.
• Mieczyslaw Kolinski: Six French Folk Songs for voice, flute and piano.
• Ernest MacMillan: Three French Canadian Sea Songs for voice and string quartet.
• Gilbert Patenaude: Six Chansons du Détroit for two voices, flute and string quartet.
• Alexander Rapoport: Four Canadian Folk Songs for flute, viola, cello and piano.

Spoken Word:

Selections from the letters and diaries of English immigrants Anna Jamieson and Catherine Parr Traill, missionary and linguist Fr. Paul LeJeune, and Marc Lescarbot of Champlain’s ‘Order of Good Cheer’.