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Songs CD Biography Reviews Nick Peros, Motets (PHX 0878-2)Nick Peros¬ Motets is the world premiere recording of 20 a cappella choral works by composer Nick Peros, performed by The Renaissance Singers, conducted by Richard Cunningham. The Motets are powerful works of beauty, power and passion, deeply expressive pieces characterized by flowing melody and rich harmonies, works of the highest artistry. Each motet is unique, presenting a wide range of musical expression where whispers of tenderness give way to an exuberant exultation in sound. Nick Peros shows himself to be a consummate composer in these works, easily handling multi-part textures of rich polyphony, creating what can be described as a tapestry of sound. This is wonderful music, music that speaks to the heart, beautifully performed by The Renaissance Singers. Nick Peros- Motets is a superb recording of great new choral works which will become an essential part of any music lovers collection. The CD Motets, on Phoenix Records, is the debut recording of works by Nick Peros. Nick Peros, Songs (PHX 0878-2)Songs is the second CD from Canadian composer Nick Peros and features a collection of 31 brand new songs written for solo voice & piano. Performed by Canadian soprano Heidi Klann and pianist Alayne Hall, Songs features Peros' setting of the poetry of William Blake, Emily Bronte, Emily Dickinson, William Wordsworth, James Joyce and others, set to music which is beautiful, passionate and evocative. Songs covers a great artistic and emotional range, with pieces such as Wordsworth's She Dwelt Among the Untrodden Ways, a heart-rending song of lost love, as is Robert Louis Stevenson's She Rested By The Broken Brook; Housman's Eight O'Clock, a powerful song about one man's last moments on the gallows; Her Strong Enchantments Failing, a mini opera of passion & intrigue featuring a stirring piano performance. Over half of the pieces on Songs feature the poetry of Emily Bronte and in many cases is the first time that Bronte's poems have been set to music. Peros has sensitively set Bronte's deeply personal texts which are brought to life in the committed performance of Heidi Klann and Alayne Hall. Bronte's Sleep Brings No Joy To Me is haunting, while The Soft Unclouded Blue Of Air is full of energy and vitality. Emily Dickinson's When Roses Cease To Bloom, Sir and I Taste A Liquor Never Brewed are exuberant while William Blake's Eternity and Ah, Sunflower! are magical. The World Premiere concert of Songs occurred Friday October 13, 2000 at Toronto's Jane Mallett Theatre and will be performed again in part on November 23 in London, England/Canada House. Recorded by Emmy and Juno award winning producer Jim Morgan, Songs is a gorgeous CD of original and innovative music from one of Canada's outstanding composers.Biography Nick Peros is a Canadian composer born and raised in Toronto. Nick has been composing concert
music full-time since 1989 and has had numerous works commissioned, performed, recorded and broadcast. His
music has received performances across Canada and includes chamber works, songs, choral
works, orchestral works and one symphony.
In 1992 he was commissioned by Canadian painter Ken Kirkby to compose Isumataq, a
grand symphony for choir and orchestra. In March 1993 at a special House of Commons ceremony
the Canadian federal parliament recognized Isumataq as a work important
for Canada and for Canadian culture. Reviews (Motets) Very rarely does something come along in the arts which points the way to a new vision and
direction, but still remains accessible
and flows with integrity and beauty...Canadian composer Nick Peros has done just that with his Motets...the compelling sound, the
ingenious chromaticism and developed melodic lines speak of the genius behind the beauty. "Peros is certainly a composer to be reckoned with...
He understands the world of choral polyphony very well indeed
and applies his understanding with imagination and taste, and to
considerable effect. I would go so far as to say that no lover of
choral music should be without this CD..." "Peros' music is beautiful. It is beautiful, however, without being sentimental, saccharin or
trite, embracing the whole contemporary
human experience... the music of these twenty motets, all settings of texts from the Psalms,
reflects a contemporary sensibility,
no mere imitation of bygone work, but something fresh and new." Other Phoenix Artists: Simon Fryer Merrie Klazek Stephanie Piercey Paul Bresciani, William Crawford Ronald Beckett Linda Shumas Yoko Hirota back to top of this page |
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