O Canada - A Prelude and Anthem

A breathtaking new release from Revv52 of Calgary, Alberta recorded and performed virtually to celebrate Canada Day 2020.

The opening Prelude is an original composition beginning with the Cree word 'Mâmawi' - meaning "All together". The orchestral arrangement by Artistic Director John Morgan sets the stage for the beautiful poetry about Canada's journey, potential, and hopes for the future from Governor General award-winner Richard Harrison.

I love unfinished things,
​the bookmark set between closed pages,
​​the field that waits for seed, Canada
​​​​​​is a place like that,
a history incomplete,
​a traveler turning around and wondering
​​​​at the distance gone, the distance yet to go.
What was there, Canada?
​What is ever there on a country’s road,
but times when we were glorious,
​​and times of things no one should have done?
Our anthem understands:
​words of pride with notes of mourning,
and the music of resolve to finish
​​​​and turn towards the road ahead.
Here is a place to say, We go on,
​not as before, and so keep faith with the best of what we are.
O, Canada, it is a complex love
​​that keeps us together,
​​​​and all the more true love for that.

Revv52's new arrangement of O Canada includes Cree Nation and Revv52 member Akina, French Canadian solo recording artist Renelle Ray, and Canadian R&B solo recording artist Justine Tyrell. All are accompanied by Revv52, Canada’s Vocal Energy who recorded from their homes virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Revv52's tribute on Canada's birthday in 2020 seeks to stir the hearts of Canadians with haunting text, indigenous language and an original arrangement and performance of our magnificent anthem.

O Canada, A Prelude
Poetry: Richard Harrison © 2020
Music: John Morgan © 2020

O Canada Anthem
Soloists: Akina (Cree) / Renelle Ray (Français) / Brian Lalonde (Français) / Justine Tyrell (English)
Lyrics: Robert Stanley Weir (English) / Adolphe-Basile Routhier (French) public domain
Music: Calixa Lavallée public domain
Arrangement: John Morgan © 2020
Cree Translation with Permission: Wayne Jackson © 2020

Revv52 Artistic Director: John Morgan
Revv52 President and O Canada Project Manager: Jen Matthias
Revv52 Board of Directors: Michael Birnie / Brett Sieben / Ken Wilson / Alec Blair
Revv52 Marketing Committee: Ken Wilson (Chair) / Jen Matthias / Kim Berecsenyi / Viccy Grace / Stuart Quinn / Lisa Rouleau / Chloe Wong
Revv52 General Manager: Lisa Collins
Audio Mix & Video Direction: John Morgan
Video Editor: Nigel Goodwin
Soloist Video Shoot: MediaPop Films, with thanks to Revv52 member Barb Mitchell
Wardrobe: Jennifer Robertson
Makeup: Christian Morneau
Graphics: Oil City Press
Video Footage Licenses: Artica Studios / Java Post Production / Man and Drone / Fortnine

Revv52 MEMBERS

Sopranos: Kim Bercsenyi, Athena Celis, Peita Luti, Charity McInnis, Mallorie Miller, Jasmine Ogroske, Bekah Pederson, Jennifer Robertson, Valerie Teeter, Claire Wilkes

Altos: Janet Boswell, Stephanie Brugos, Heather Cole, Jennele Coulson, Linda Dang, Barb Fabijan-Waddell, Vicci Grace, Kate Heney, Emmaly Livino, Tara Luke, Jen Matthias, Barb Mitchell, Kelli Northrup, Sandy Peacock, Lisa Rouleau, Eve Shaw, Akina Slusar, Krista Willott

Tenors: Jody Alex, Michael Heney, Dave Kletke, David Little, Ian Malayang, John Morgan, Christian Morneau, Stuart Quinn, Brendan Rosenow, Chris Willott

Basses: Dave Birnie, Alec Blair, Dan Duguay, Brian Lalonde, Dave Macleod, Ian McKay, Joe Moreau, John Nairn, John Wiest, Ken Wilson

Видео O Canada - A Prelude and Anthem канала Revv52