Canadian Classical Records Inc. is a brand new classical music label based in Calgary. Established by Alex Bohn, the label has already released its first album — Harmonic Breath, The Music of Palestrina by the Mysterium Duo.
Dedicated classical music labels are few and far between in Canada, and CCR is a welcome addition to the fold.
Harmonic Breath, with its imaginative adaptation of Renaissance music, is a glimpse at what’s in store from the new label.
Mysterium Duo: Harmonic Breath
Mysterium is an accordion duo, and they’ve carefully curated nine adaptations of Palestrina’s sacred choral musical for the new release.
Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (c.1525 to 1594) is considered one of the leading composers of late Renaissance sacred music. His balanced polyphony became the basis for most church music, and into the Baroque era, for creating counterpoint.
- Find the album, available to stream or buy, [HERE].
Alex Bohn: The Interview
LV caught up with Canadian Classical Records Inc. founder Alex Bohn to talk about the label.
“I’m from Calgary,” Bohn begins. He explains that his background is in recording, and working in sound tech for concert halls.
“I do have a Bachelor’s of Music,” he says. He completed his degree at the University of Lethbridge, and followed it up with a residency at the Banff Centre, and a Master’s degree from McGill University in Sound Recording.
His work experience includes sound tech at the University of Calgary’s Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall during the COVID pandemic. Prior to COVID, he lived in New York City, working in a similar capacity at Stony Brook University in Long Island. Bohn also operated a freelance business, working with four different labels and distributors as a recording and sound technician.
What he calls little bits and pieces gradually came together and coalesced into a record label.
Canadian Classical Records, Inc.
“I’ve wanted to do it for a very, very long time,” he says. “I never imagined it would be a classical label.”
It’s simply where his work recording live music performances led him.
“As I started working a lot closer with a lot of musicians, especially in the classical realm, a lot of people, they didn’t know what to do with the recordings,” he says. He’d record their performance, but then what?
“That never sat right with me,” he adds. It began to build a sense of momentum. “Let’s let it live that extra life beyond that moment.” The events, the music was wonderful. Creating the record label allowed him to help artists and ensembles to take the next step.
In the western provinces, in particular, there was a gap when it came to recording opportunities. “In Alberta, in the Prairies, it’s even less populated.” Classical musicians looking to record had to leave the province.
“We’ve got amazing music schools, and amazing musicians,” he says. “They cut their teeth, and then they have to go out east. It’s always so disappointing to me.”
His experience brought him to a vibrant classical music community in the prairies, and many people dedicated to building it. A record label would add to the momentum.
Releases: The Mysterium Duo
“They kind of gave me the kick in the butt to start this,” Alex says.
The members of the Mysterium Duo, Sir N. Antonio Peruch and Penny Sanborn, had been discussing the idea with Alex for some time. Specifically, they wanted to record their own arrangements of Palestrina’s choral works for accordion duo.
“Let’s just go for it now,” he told them.
“The album, it’s really fascinating,” he says. He notes its unusual instrumentation.
“That’s one of the great things about Canadian classical music […] it’s this willingness to take risks, and to do something that’s non-standard in classical repertoire.” It’s emblematic of what he’s looking for when it comes to recording projects. They can include traditional ensembles and instruments with interesting takes on old music, or new music.
“The accordion is such a rich sounding instrument,” he says. “You get these really interesting tones and sounds out of the accordion that you really can’t replicate with any other ensemble.”
Future Projects
“Right now, my main call is for really anything Canadian,” Bohn says. “I’d really like to focus on either Canadian artists with interesting takes, or Canadian composers.”
Artists and ensembles don’t have to be Alberta-specific. “I’m not dedicated or set that it has to be someone from the Prairies,” he says.
“How are Canadians engaging with classical music today?”
He’s ready to record any kind or combination of instruments.
“We’re a small, boutique label. It’s definitely a passion project,” Bohn says. His overall goal is helping artist to get heard, and offer them an option for releasing their music. He’s not fussy on the details.
“I’d be hard pressed to say no to things,” he laughs. “I really want to create a space where people can come and talk to me about their ideas,” he adds.
“We can probably make something work.”
- Find more information, including how to submit your music, and current and upcoming releases, [HERE].
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