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Choral Reviews
Choral Reviews

dance. For example, numerous Baroque works based include musical examples from the publisher, Alliance
on dance, walzer–Liebeslieder, Neue Liebeslieder, “Wechsel- Chorale du Québec (Éditions de l’Alliance). Interested
lied zum Tanz” by Brahms, or Schubert’s “Der Tanz.” readers can view score samples or purchase at: https://
Other possibilities are works by living composers, for boutique.chorales.ca/products/figures-de-danse-satb-
example: “Dance!” by Robert T. Gibson, “Solidaridad” piano
by Rosephanye Powell, “Danse macabre” by Z. Randall 2 Patricia Abbott, “The 30-Year History of the Alliance des
Stroope, “Vital Dance” by Dale Trumbore, or An Hour to Chorales du Quebec and Its Impact on Choral Singing
Dance by Gwyneth Walker. in the Province.” The Phenomenon of Singing [Online], Vol-
ume 5 (July 1, 2005). https://journals.library.mun.ca/
ojs/index.php/singing/article/view/584/402; Patricia
Daunais’s Figures de danse is a fanciful Abbott, “The Vocal and Choral Music of Lionel Daunais
delight and a welcome respite to (1902-1982).” Paper presented At the 3rd Phenomenon
of Singing International Symposium, Memorial Uni-
programs that are often replete with versity, St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada (2001); Hil-

somber repertoire. ary Apfelstadt, “Canada’s Choral Music Development.”
Choral Journal 54, no. 8 (March 2014): 34–41; Brian C.
Murray, “A Conductor’s Guide to Lionel Daunais’s Fig-
There are multiple challenges when performing this ures de danse” (DMA diss., University of North Tex-
work. Fast French text, local references, and issues with as, 2020). https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/
the score often inhibit regular performance. Various re- metadc1703295/ ; Oscar O’Brien, “L’Estétique de notre
sources and strategies can ameliorate these challenges, folklore,” La Presse Montréal (October 21, 1942): Micro-
2
however. Additionally, with the publication of a new fiche, MIC A28.
edition that combines the choral and piano scores and 3 Lionel Daunais, Figures de danse: Suite fantastique pour voix mixtes.
removes numerous errors, Éditions d’Alliance mitigat- ed. Brian C. Murray (Alliance des Chorales du Québec,
ed the foremost challenge to frequent performance of 1975).
the work. Further, a thorough understanding of the 4 Lionel Daunais, Figures de danse. Choeur de Chambre du
3
text is necessary to comprehend and savor the satire in Québec, Robert Ingari, conductor. Recorded October
Daunais’s captivating work. 2013. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JT_-tddR6Z8;
Daunais’s Figures de danse is a fanciful delight and a Lionel Daunais, Figures de danse. University of North
welcome respite to programs that are often replete with Texas University Singers, Dr. Richard Sparks, conduc-
somber repertoire. Fancy the professional recording of tor. Recorded April 2014. https://www.youtube.com/
Figures de danse by Julia Davids and the Canadian Cham- watch?v=gptvRSzQ6tw&t=2s; Julia Davids, conductor.
ber Choir or various reference recordings of the work In Good Company. Recorded in 2009. Polar Bear Records,
available on YouTube and other streaming platforms. 4 2010, compact disc. Includes Daunais’s Figures de danse.
Revel in the wittiness of the text and enjoy an explora-
tion of this moribund musical fantasy.

Brian C. Murray is the director of choral activities and
assistant professor of music at the University of Wyo-
ming. bmurray7@uwyo.edu

NOTES

1 As of this printing, we were unable to secure permission to

CHORAL JOURNAL August 2025 Volume 66 Number 1 61