| Elizabeth Raum | |
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Elizabeth Raum |
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| Occupation | Canadian composer |
Elizabeth Raum (born 13 January 1945)[1][2][3][4] is a Canadian composer. She earned her Bachelor of Music in oboe performance from the Eastman School of Music, her Master of Music in composition from the University of Regina, and in May 2004, she was awarded an honorary doctorate in Humane Letters from Mount St. Vincent University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She is also an associate member of the Canadian Music Centre.
Her works have been heard throughout North America, Europe, South America, China, Japan, and Russia, and have been broadcast extensively on the CBC. She has also written for film and video and has won awards for the scores to the documentaries, Saskatchewan River; Like Mother, Like Daughter; and the feature length film, Sparkle. She produced Canada's first classical video with originally written music entitled, Evolution: A Theme With Variations, which was premiered at a gala event at the CBC in 1986. Other film collaborations include Prelude to Parting, The Green Man Ballet, and Symphony of Youth, all broadcast on national television. An extremely prolific composer, her works include 3 operas, over 60 chamber pieces, 17 vocal works, choral works including an oratorio, several ballets, concerti and major orchestral works. She enjoys a reputation of being one of Canada's most "accessible" composers, writing for varied mediums and in remarkably diverse styles.
Raum is especially known for her composition for the tuba. John Griffiths, a world renown tuba player, lived in Regina and for years, commissioned Raum to write concertos and works for him to play on his tours. When he died in 2007, she wrote a final work entitled Tribute.
She has written for some of the world finest artists including the St. Lawrence String Quartet, Canadian soprano, Tracy Dahl, trombone virtuoso, Christian Lindberg, tuba icon, Roger Bobo, New York Philharmonic principal horn, Philip Myers, the percussion ensemble, Nexus, and her daughter, Erika Raum. She recently completed major commissions by the Winnipeg Ballet, Symphony Nova Scotia, and the St. Lawrence String Quartet.
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Raum has a number of commercial CD releases including the Regina Symphony Orchestra recording of her Prairie Alphabet Musical Parade, inspired by the popular children's book, A Prairie Alphabet; The Legend of Heimdall, recorded by the Orchestra of the Capella of St. Petersburg, Russia, with John Griffiths, soloist,; Renovated Rhymes commissioned and recorded by Trio Ariana for their CD, Incantations and Rhymes; Sonata for Piano Four Hands, commissioned and recorded by the Tucson Winter Chamber Music Festival and performed by Kevin Fitz-Gerald and Bernadine Blaha; Requiem for Wounded Knee recorded by tuba duo, Don Harry and John Griffiths; Pantheon for violin, horn, and piano recorded at The Banff Centre by Erika Raum, David Hoyt, and Janet Scott-Hoyt; and her most recent CD, how bodies leave ecstatic marks, which won the award for Best Classical Composition for a the 2008 Western Music Award.
Music Theatre and Multi-media Eos: The Dream of Nicholas Flood Davin (1990) 100 min. A Three act opera scored for six main roles, chorus and minor roles, and chamber orchestra. Commissioned by the Prairie Opera, premiered in Regina on January, 1991, and performed again in Saskatoon in May for 7 performances in all. Recorded by CBC for a 3 hour broadcast special. The Final Bid (1980) 40 min. A one-act opera withchamber orchestra accompaniment or piano reduction. Premiere: University of Regina. The Garden of Alice: a full length opera (1983) 110 min. (Based on Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll). Narrator, SATB soloists, piano and 2 percussion. Premiere: The Globe Theatre, Regina; Ken Kramer, director. The Garden of Alice: a condensed version of the full length opera (1983) 45 min. Premiere: March 4, 1984, Norman McKenzie Art Gallery, Regina; Contemporary Directions Ensemble; Richard Raum, conductor. Garden of Alice (1983) concert version of the above, scored for four singers SATB, Narrator, 2 percussionists, and piano. Premiere, in 1984 at the Norman Mackenzie Art Gallery in Regina. Mulligan's Toy Shop (1983) 40 min. Musical for children to perform. Text by the composer. Instructions for sectionalized rehearsals. Optional parts for rhythm band. Accompanied by piano. Phoenix (1986) 10 min. Tape, flute, electric guitar (or synthesizer), double bass (or violoncello), piano. Premiere: May 11, 1986, Recital Hall, University of Regina. The Robot From Orion (1989) 20 min. For narrator, two optional dancers, and chamber orchestra. Commissioned by the Saskatoon Symphony for performance at the Canada Games in 1989 and for their school concert series. Shown on local TV. Thunder in a Concave Vacuum (1986) 30 min. A multi-media theatre work of taped sounds, live musicians, lighting effects, audience participation, music and drama. Commissioned by the Globe Theatre, Regina. Premiere: May 10, 1986, Globe Theatre; Garnet Brooks, tenor; Gabe Prendergrast, actor; Richard Raum, conductor.
Orchestra Evolution: a Theme with Variations (1985) 10 min. 1111/1100/strings. Fantasy for Double Orchestra (1988) 13 min. Junior and senior orchestra, each consisting of 2222/2231/timpani, percussion, harp/strings. Premiere: Feb. 20, 1988, Regina, Saskatchewan; Regina Symphony and South Saskatchewan Youth Symphony; Derrick Inouye, conductor. Broadcast nationally on CBC on Mostly Music. The Green Man (1993) 26 min. A ballet based with an ecological theme commissioned by the South Saskatchewan Youth Orchestra and the Saskatchewan Youth Ballet. Was used in a documentary for local TV. Impulse (1997) 25 min. Commissioned by the Regina Symphony Orchestra premiered May 3, 1997. A Prairie Alphabet Musical Parade (1993) 29 min. Commissioned by the Regina Symphony Orchestra to be commercially recorded as a fundraising project to go with the popular children's book, A Prairie Alphabet. Prairie Jubilee (1996) 12 min. Commissioned by the Saskatchewan Orchestral Association for string orchestra, specifically written to be performed by string players of playing abilities from beginner to advanced. Suite From Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (1989) 16 min. Commissioned by the Regina Symphony Chamber Players. Scored for chamber orchestra. Symphony of Youth (1994) 30 min. Commissioned by the City of Regina for their Civic Art Collection. Written for the South Saskatchewan Youth Orchestra, the Campbell Collegiate Concert Choir, The Classics (swing choir), and Senior Gold (stage band) from Campbell Collegiate. Premiered at the Prairie Festival of New Music, Feb. 26, 1994, at Campbell Collegiate, recorded by CBC, and made into a TV documentary.
Orchestra with Soloist(s)
The Adventures of Ian the Oboe (1985) 7 min. Optional narrator/1111/1100/strings. Written for the Regina Symphony Chamber Players for their school concert series.
Capriccio for Violin and Orchestra (1992) 8 min. Commissioned by the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra for violinist Krista Buckland. Recorded for local broadcast. Additional second part for viola written by Douglas Perry.
Concerto for Double Bass (or Cello) and Orchestra (1993) 15 min. Commissioned by David Ruby of the Saskatoon Symphony for their Bach and Friends Series. Premiered April, 1993. Later performed with taped synthesized accompaniment by David Ruby.
Concerto for Violin (1993) 30 min. Commissioned by the Regina Symphony for violinist, Erika Raum, daughter of the composer. Premiered in April 1993 and broadcast for Mostly Music. The writing of the concerto is the subject of a documentary for Sunday Arts and Entertainment on CBC TV.
Evolution: A Theme With Variations (1985)10 min. Canada's first classical video with originally written music. Commissioned by the Regina Symphony for their Chamber Players. Variations spanning musical styles from Renaissance to modern. Made into a video with booklet for educational purposes.
The Legend of Heimdall for Solo Tuba and Orchestra (1991) 23 min. Commissioned by the CBC for tubist, John Griffiths and the Regina Symphony Orchestra. Broadcast on Mostly Music.
Olmutz Concerto for Alto Trombone and Orchestra (1995) 20 min. Commissioned by the CBC for trombonist Christian Lindberg and the Regina Symphony Orchestra. Published by Editions Bim.
Sherwood Legend (1996) 25 min. For solo French horn and orchestra, commissioned by the Calgary Philharmonic and Kurt Kellan, soloist, for premiere January 16, 1997. Recorded by the CBC.
Concerto for Bass Trombone and Orchestra (2007/2008) 15 min. Commissioned by Barnaby Kerekes and friends/students of Douglas Sparkes - Bass Trombonist, Vancouver Symphony Orchestra - for his birthday in 2007. Premiered March 28, 2009 by Barnaby Kerekes with the Brampton Symphony Orchestra. Published by Cherry Classics, also available with piano reduction, or Concert Band orchestration.
Chamber Arabesque (1985) 5 min. English horn and double bass. Commissioned by Stephen McLellan, principal bass in the Regina Symphony. Barcarole for Flute (or Piccolo) and Piano (1991) 4 min. Baroque Trio (1989) 12 min. Commissioned by Trio Mio, a Toronto based ensemble, for clarinet (optional doubling on E-flat), flute (optional doubling on alto flute and piccolo), and piano. Premiered at Roy Thompson Hall and taken on tour with Jeunesses Musicales. Cinderella Suite (1996) 12 min. Written for piano trio (violin, cello, piano). Premiered at the Saskatchewan Registered Music Teachers Association Conference, September, 1996. Concerto Riva (1997) 14 min. Commissioned by John Griffiths for tuba and piano premiered at the International Tuba-Euphonium Conference in Riva del Garda, Italy in July, 1997. Published by Williams Publishing Constructions (1983) 50 min. Piano, oboe, percussion. Written for the opening of the new CBC complex in Regina in collaboration with Regina playwright Rex Deverell. Conversations (1982) 15 min. Flute and piano. Fantasy for French Horn (1985) 6 min. French horn and piano. Arrangement of composer's Fantasy for Trombone. Fantasy for Trombone (1985) 6 min. Trombone and piano. Four Elements (1980) 12 min. Serial Piece for unaccompanied trombone and violin. Idiom (1982) 5 min. French horn solo. Written for Philip Myers, principal horn of the New York Philharmonic. International Suite (1992) 23 min. For wind octet. Seven movements each representing a different country. Premiered by the Qu"Appelle Wind Octet in Alexandria, Minnesota. King Lear Fantasy (1987) 14 min. Flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, alto trombone (French horn or tenor trombone may substitute for alto trombone). Based on themes used by the composer for background music for a production of King Lear. Legislative Assembly Fanfare (1993) 2 min. Commissioned by the Province of Saskachewan as theme music for the TV coverage of the Legislative Assembly. Les Ombres (1989) 9 min. For violin and piano. Written for the composer's daughter, Erika and her accompanist, Rachel Andrist. Parody for Clarinet (1992) 5 min. Commissioned by the Concours de Musique du Canada with the help of the Canada Council. Phoenix (1986) 10 min. Commissioned by the Contemporary Directions Ensemble in Regina for flute, clarinet, cello, trombone, percussion, and piano. Prairie Suite (1992) 8 min. Commissioned and recorded by CBC. Scored for violin, cello, oboe, and piano. Prayer and Dance of Praise (1997) 10 min. Commissioned by the Eckhardt-Gramatte National Competition for the Performance of Canadian Music. Premiered May, 1997 in Brandon, Manitoba, by the winner of the competition and taken on tour across Canada. Processional Fanfare for Trombone Quartet (1985) 3 min. Commissioned by John Griffiths for solo tuba premiered at the International Tuba-Euphonium Conference in Riva del Garda, Italy in July, 1997. Published by Williams Publishing Processional Fanfare for Brass and Percussion (1985) 3 min. 2 trumpets, 4 horns, 3 trombones, tuba, timpani, percussion. Commissioned by the Regina Symphony. Premiere: October 12, 1985, Saskatchewan Centre of the Arts, Regina; Members of the Regina Symphony; Derrick Inouye, conductor. Quartet for Brass (1980) 14 min. Quartet arrangement for two trombones and two trumpets of the Quintet for Brass. Quintet for Brass (1980) 12 min. 2 trumpets, horn, trombone, tuba. (Also available as a quartet) Premiere: Regina, Saskatchewan; the Regina Brass Quintet. Romance for French Horn (1992) 5 min. Commissioned by the Concours de Musique du Canada with the help of the Canada Council. Rondo Variations (1989) 7 min. Commissioned by the Parkland Ensemble for piano, violin, and double bass (or cello). Reverie (1987) 6 min. Viola and piano. Commissioned by Regina violist Nick Ugelmi. Rhapsody (1987) 10 min. Violin, violoncello, harp, organ. Commissioned by Regina harpist Regina Timmins and organist Jack Partridge. Searching for Sophia (1995) 23 min. Piano trio (violin, cello, piano) written for Winnipeg choreographer, Nina Menon, for The Sightlind Dance Project. Sextet for Woodwind Quintet and Piano (1992) Commissioned by Music Toronto and recorded for Arts National. Sonata For Violin and Piano (1995) 20 min. Written for Erika Raum, violinist. Premiered at the Classical Cabaret series in Toronto, September 17, 1995. String Quartet (1993) 23 min. Commissioned by the Regina Symphony for the Prairie Festival of New music. Suite for Woodwind Quintet (1982) 6 min. Flute, oboe, clarinet, horn, bassoon. Winner of the Saskatchewan Music Educator's Association competition for an ensemble work written for high school students. Three Jazz Moods for Tenor Trombone and Piano (1996) 12 min. Published by Virgo Music. Also in a version for band and solo trombone. Valentine Variations (1991) 11 min. Commissioned by composer Thomas Schudel for his wife, Jane. Variations for flute and piano on a theme written by Schudel. Recorded for local CBC broadcast. Will There Be a Time (1997) 12 min.
Keyboard Evolution: a Theme with Variations (1984) 10 min. 2 pianos. A two piano version of the chamber orchestra work. River Rhapsodie (1995) 10 min. For solo piano. Written for and premiered by Michael Angell at the 1995 Prairie Festival of New Music.
Vocal Carol in Three-Three Time (1992) 5 min. For soprano and piano. Commissioned by the Concours de Musique du Canada with the help of the Canada Council. First and Gracious Sight (1987) 20 min. (Poetry by John V. Hicks). Tenor, oboe and piano. Premiere: November 1987, Studio 1, Regina, Saskatchewan; Garnet Brooks, tenor; Elizabeth Raum, oboe; Rachel Anderson, piano. Poems of John V. Hicks, Saskatchewan poet. Four Songs from The Garden of Alice (1983) 11 min. For high and medium male voices and piano. Four humorous songs taken from the opera. The Garden Song (1983) 5 min. For soprano and piano from The Garden of Alice. A Hymn To God the Father (1984) 3 min. For soprano and piano. Poetry by John Donne. Joke Aria from The Final Bid (1984) 4 min. For tenor and piano from the opera, The Final Bid. Men I Have Known (1984) 17 min. Mezzo-soprano and piano. Written for a one hour special of music by Elizabeth Raum broadcast on CBC Music West. The Orphic Thread (1984) 25 min. (on nine poems by John V. Hicks). Mezzo-soprano, flute, oboe, clarinet, horn, bassoon. The Passing (1984) 3 min. For soprano or mezzo- soprano and piano. Poetry by Emily Dickinson. Player Pianist (1984) 8 min. (Poetry by Priscilla Hallberg). Voice, oboe, violin, marimba. A Poet's Day (1984) 6 min. (Text by Emily Schudel). Soprano, piano and optional string bass. River of Life (1997) 5 min. For soprano and piano. Commissioned by the Conservatory of Music and Dance, University of Regina, to honor Dr. William Riddell at a gala dinner fundraiser dinner. What Is Truth? (1990) 3 min. For tenor and piano. Poetry by the composer. Victims of Eagles (1990) 4 min. For tenor and piano. Poetry by John V. Hicks.
Choral Ballad to Saskatchewan (1980) 3 min. For either unison children's chorus or SATB youth choir and piano. Four Medieval Songs (1990) 15 min. Commissioned by the Saskatchewan Choral Federation. Accompanied by brass quintet or keyboard reduction. Little Dove (1995) 5 min. Commissioned by the Saskatchewan Music Educators Association. Place of Beginnings (1989) 7 min. Commissioned by the Campbell Collegiate High School for their 25the anniversary. Written for SATB high school chorus, string orchestra, and optional violin obbligato. Piano reduction as well. Posaune Oratorio (1992) 55 min. Commissioned by the First Presbyterian Church in Regina for SATB choir, soloists, organ, and trombone quartet. Premiered in sections over the season of Lent, and then in a complete performance in May, 1992. The Right Combination (1995) 5 min. Commissioned by the Saskatchewan Music Educators Association. Saskatchewan Mosaic (1980) 4 min. For two part children's chorus, piano, optional recorder trio and drum. The Seasons (1980) 6 min. For two part children's chorus and piano. Voices Raised (1996) 4 min. Commissioned for the Regina Male Voice Choir. Premiered May 6, 1996.
Electroacoustic Northern Lights (1995) 14 minutes. For solo flute and tape. Commissioned by the Saskatchewan Youth Ballet with assistance from the Canada Council. Premiere performance on May 11, 1995, with Jane Schudel, flute. Prelude to Parting (1995) 14 min. For Trombone, Violin, and tape. Commissioned by the Saskatchewan Youth Ballet with assistance from the Canada Council. Premiere performance on May 11, 1995 with mother-daughter dancers, Connie and Katrina Wernikowski, and father and daughter musicians, Richard and Erika Raum. Also performed at the International Trombone Festival in Feldkirch, Austria, in 1996. Running Radius 6 min. Commissioned by the Modern Dance Works. Seven Ages of Man 7 min. Electronic piece used as background music for film.
Band Echoes of Fort San (1987) 25 min. Symphonic band. Commissioned for the Twentieth Anniversary of the Saskatchewan School of the Arts through the Saskatchewan Arts Board to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Saskatchewan Summer School of the Arts. Premiere: July 25, 1987, Fort Qu'appelle, Saskatchewan; Fort San Faculty Wind Ensemble; Peter Demos, director. Processional Fanfare (1985) 3 min. For large brass ensemble and percussion. Commissioned by the Regina Symphony to open their 1985 season and broadcast nationally on Mostly Music. T for Tuba (1991) 4 min. Commissioned by the Regina Junior Lions Band and tuba player, John Griffiths for performance at the Midwestern Bandmaster's Clinic in Chicago. Professional and student versions for the tuba solo as well as versions for trombone and baritone.
Raum is included in the New Grove's Dictionary of Music and Musicians, the New Grove's Dictionary of Opera, and the New Grove's Dictionary of Women Composers as well as numerous other publications. On November 23, 2010 Raum was awarded the Saskatchewan Order of Merit.[5]