The outbreak of World War II brought European artists to the USA and Canada and gave Coulthard the opportunity to study with a number of established composers, including Arthur Benjamin. He encouraged her to write for orchestra and incorporated her music into his concert series. Coulthard spent much of the war in New York where she benefitted from lessons with the Dutch composer Bernard Wagenaar, who helped her consolidate a new-found confidence in her writing. Donald Macleod introduces a sonata in which that new sense of certainty shines through, plus an early orchestral work with evocations of happy holidays, a choral song which reflects the spirit of renewal in post-war Canada, and music to celebrate the patron saint of music.

Threnody
University of Alberta Madrigal Singers

Excursion Ballet Suite
Symphony Nova Scotia
Georg Tintner, Conductor

Music to St. Cecilia for organ and strings
Patrick Wedd, organ
Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra
Mario Bernardi, Conductor

Cello Sonata
Joan Harrison, cello
Elaine Keillor, piano

Quebec in May
Elmer Iseler Singers
CBC Vancouver Orchestra
Elmer Iseler, Conductor. Show less