An Unfolding of Lorelei’s Past and Future
While immersed in the many new and exciting projects of Lorelei’s current and future seasons, I recently had the opportunity to get on the phone with my friend and collaborator Scott Ordway to discuss the long-awaited recording of his North Woods, written for and premiered by Lorelei Ensemble in 2014. This fall marks 10 years since that premiere. We have since performed North Woods countless times across the country, in churches and concert halls, universities and living rooms, alongside medieval, minimalist, and shape-note repertoire. And in that time it has also found its way into the hands and voices of student ensembles, including those of my students at Peabody.
Why does this piece still have such a hold on us? North Woods is a work that has defined the ensemble’s sound for many listeners, and is unique in its ability to both capture a part of Lorelei’s past while still fitting us extremely well in the present. On a personal level, the text by first-century historian Tacitus has impacted me since the first time we rehearsed it, particularly the third movement and its awe-struck reverence for the natural world:
They do not imprison their gods within walls, or represent them with human features;
Instead, they consecrate woods and groves,
And they call by the name of reverence.
I have now heard and performed these words so many times that I easily and frequently recall them while I’m walking through the Maryland woods—one of my favorite ways to escape the human-centric world that spins around us.
Reconvening with members of Lorelei Ensemble to record North Woods felt like a balm, reminding us of our “why” – both why we started this work and why we continue it. The energy this project inspired reflects Lorelei Ensemble’s history and our vision for the future. It is the energy we draw from the unveiling of a new and unknown thing, surrounded by the familiar joy of working with these particular people, in this particular time and place.
This same spirit of partnership and discovery enlivens our newest work: from BREATHE and its genre-breaking collaboration between four composer-performers; to a reimagining of the relationships depicted in David Lang’s love fail through new choreography for dance quartet by Pilobolus; to the exploration of extreme weather in Christopher Cerrone’s Beaufort Scales, which I am incredibly proud to share was just nominated for a GRAMMY Award! That energy, the energy that drives us and all of our work to evolve and expand on the music written for women’s and treble voices, is fueled by you—fueled by your trust, your generosity, and your willingness to invest in new and yet-unknown music, filling this wild and free space we are lucky enough to inhabit with new voices.
With much gratitude for your generosity and commitment to our shared mission, I hope that you will make a special gift to Lorelei Ensemble before the end of the year. You enable us to make music that is so deeply meaningful to audiences and artists alike. Your investment makes it possible for Lorelei Ensemble to continue to do this work: to hire exceptional and fearless performers, to commission new and ground-breaking music from brilliant composers, to present live performances and record that music for current and future listeners, and to bring that music and passion for this art form to young artists across the country.
In 2025, Lorelei Ensemble will present more than half a dozen world premieres, continuing to celebrate the experience of discovering something new as an ensemble while inviting audience members to explore along with us. I look forward to sharing this journey, and the new recording of North Woods, with you. As we look to a year full of new music, I thank you for your trust, and for continuing to support Lorelei’s creative endeavors. This work is far from finished, and you make it all possible. Wishing you and your family a happy holiday season and a new year full of the energy that inspires you.
With gratitude,
Beth Willer, Artistic Director