TORONTO, August 28, 1997 -- As part of its new York Artists Signature Series, the York Fine Arts label is releasing a CD featuring readings from Charles Dickens by York University Orator, English professor, and voice extraordinaire Maurice Elliott.

Maurice Elliott reads Charles Dickens, a one-hour recording of excerpts from Dickens classics, highlights pieces that speak to the difficult conditions under which many children around the world learn. Elliott's selections include "David Copperfield at lunch" from David Copperfield, "Pip takes a terrible turn" from Great Expectations, and "Young Jerry Cruncher goes fishing" from A Tale of Two Cities.

"I chose pieces to remind us that many, if not most, children in the world receive their education in far from ideal circumstances," says Elliott, who has taught at York University since 1966.

Elliott first earned a following for his compelling readings from Dickens while serving as Master of York University's Winters College. For seven years beginning in 1980, he read to the Fellows every Christmas season.

"I would like to think, as I did not pay them to attend, that they received on those festive occasions as much pleasure from the words of 'The Great Inimitable' as I continue to do," Elliott writes in his liner notes.

Michael Coghlan, professor of digital arts in York's Music Department and the CD's producer, attests that Elliott invariably turns those who hear him into Dickens enthusiasts.

Maurice Elliott reads Charles Dickens was recorded at Winters College. Like all the artists featured in the York Artists Signature Series, Elliott and Coghlan donated their time and talent to the project. The disc is available for purchase through York University, with proceeds going to program and student support.

Together with this CD, the York Fine Arts label's newly launched York Artists Signature Series is simultaneously issuing four other recordings featuring jazz and new music. This month the label is also introducing its Learning Series with the release of a CD-ROM, Shadow on the Prairie, the first ever interactive multimedia tutorial on Canadian dance history.

York's Faculty of Fine Arts last year established the York Fine Arts digital publishing and recording label to profile the university's artistic, pedagogical and technical talent.

For more information or a review copy, please contact:

Brigitte Kleer
Manager, Public Relations
Faculty of Fine Arts (416) 736-2100 ext. 77143
email: bkleer@yorku.ca

Sine MacKinnon
Senior Advisor for Media Relations
York University
(416) 736-2100 ext. 22087
email: sinem@yorku.ca
YU/071/97