Dr. Iris S. Levine

Review: The 30 talented women of Vox Femina LA, directed by Dr. Iris S. Levine, went into the recording studio in July, 2002 to record repertoire from their first 5 seasons, showcasing two new commissions: "The Tolerance Project" and "Alarcon Madrigals, Book II." Founded in 1997, VFLA is a women's choral ensemble dedicated to the performance of quality choral literature with an emphasis on music by women composers. They are a family of diverse women who are lesbian, bisexual and heterosexual. This CD is in 3 parts, 8 songs from "Miniatures of Kin," 11 songs in "Alarcon Madrigals, Book II, and 3 from "The Tolerance Project," based on the poetry of LA high school students. All songs are lightly piano accompanied. Particularly nice are the opening cut, "The Gathering," the traditional "The Water is Wide," the Serbian folk tune "Niska Banja," "Wood River," "Both Page and Pen," "Another Language," "Totally Exposed," "Warrior," Holly Near's "Simply Love," "I Come From Good People," and "I Love A Rainbow." The extensive liner notes include all the touching, poignant and joyous lyrics. "Simply..." is a gift.

Songlist: (Miniatures of Kin), The Gathering, Sisters, Cousins, Parting, The Water is Wide, Niska Banja, The 23rd Psalm, Wood River, (Alarcon Madrigals, Book II), I Want to Stop Being an Endless Night, Wind, Bird, Both Page and Pen, Matriarch, Another Language, I Thank You God, Totally Exposed, Warrior, Simply Love, I Come from Good People, (The Tolerance Proect), Pendulum, Afraid, I Love a Rainbow

Review: Los Angeles' 31-strong women's ensemble Vox Femina blew us away with their 2002 debut album "Simply," and we have waited a long time to be able to hold CD #2 in our hot little hands. "Still I Rise," directed by Dr. Iris S. Levine and accompanied by Lisa Edwards on piano, celebrates Vox Femina's 10th anniversary season, highlighting the best of Vox's live performances. The 15 very different songs share fine arranging, flawless performances, and the exciting fact that they are live recordings. The rhythmic opening cut "Odi Odi," the spiritual "Deep River," Hildegard von Bingen and Roger Bourland's "O viridissima virga/Both Page and Pen;" Debussy's "Salut Printemps;" Ysaye M. Barnwell's lovely "Breaths;" Roy Brown's "Sky Dances;" Stuart Stotts' "Music in My Mother's House," Holly Near's "Imagine my Surprise;" Marvin Hamlisch and Edward Kleban's "At the Ballet" and the title tune by Rosephanye Powell are some favorites. But Vox is very special group of women, a bridge-building group, and each of these songs needs to be listened to, appreciated and savored. Besides piano, you might hear some flute, drums, bass, guitar, oboe and zils. Exquisite!

Songlist: Odi Odi, Ah! si mon moine voulait danser, Deep River, O viridissima virga /, Both Page and Pen, Salut Printemps, Ya Faraoule, Breaths, Yo le Canto Todo el Dia, Sky Dances, Sweet Woman, Music in My Mother's House, Imagine my Surprise, At the Ballet, Closer to Fine, Still I Rise