Heart of the Mountains

Heart of the Mountains

ASIN: B000063BO3

Track Listings

1. Black Diamonds

2. Going Back to the Blue Ridge Mountains

3. When I Was Yours

4. King of the Gypsies/Jerusalem Ridge

5. Are You from Dixie

6. Tenderly Calling

7. North Carolina Breakdown

8. Green Rolling Hills

9. Waterbound

10. Waltz of the Wind

11. Heart of the Mountains

12. Billy Gray

13. Kinfolks in Carolina

14. Flop Eared Mule

Tracks:

Drink To Me Only - David Wilson-Johnson
Over The Mountains
My Lady Greensleeves
Little Moth
Love Calls Through The Summer Night
If Love Should Pass Me By
The Rose Of Tralee - Philip Langridge
Believe me, If All Those Endearing Young Charms - David Wilson-Johnson
Oh! 'Tis Sweet To Think - David Wilson-Johnson
Come Lady-Day
The Starlings
To A Harebell By A Graveside
It Was A Lover And His Lass
Ye Banks And Braes
Charlie Is My Darling
Ca' The Yowes To The Knowes
Where Go The Boats?
Windy Nights
Summer Sunset
Le Pauvre Laboureur - David Wilson-Johnson
L'Amour De Moi - David Wilson-Johnson
Joli Mois De Mai - David Wilson-Johnson
Daisies After The Rain (Solo Version)
My Heart Adorn'd With Thee
The Passing Bell
Blossom-Time
Daisies After The Rain (Duet Version)
Weep You No More
I Gotta Robe - David Wilson-Johnson
'Tis St. Valentine's Day
What Will You Do My Love - Philip Langridge
The Jolly Miller
Barbara Allen
Three Poor Mariners - David Wilson-Johnson
Since First I Saw Your Face - David Wilson-Johnson
The Ash Grove

Customer Reviews:

Quilter deserves better..........2005-11-10

Was this recording of Quilter songs (Complete Folk-Song Arrangements and Complete Part-Songs for Women's Voices) a vanity project for soprano Amanda Pitt? It is hard to explain in any other terms, for her voice is not pleasant to hear. It is a pinched, badly produced, squally sound - the sort of standard one would expect in a not very gifted singing student. Why Naxos permitted this travesty of a recording under their label is a mystery.

The majority of the songs on this CD are sung by the aforesaid Amanda Pitt (soprano). The other singers in this project are of a better standard - in the case of Philip Langridge, beautiful to listen to. This recording is not worthy of his excellent career and lovely tenor voice. The other two singers - mezzo Joanne Thomas and baritone David Wilson-Johnson - are not bad, either, although the mezzo doesn't get a single solo. The lack of a solo for Ms Thomas is glaringly evident when compared to the ten (10) solos which Ms Pitt sings. (10 out of 21 solos - definitely an unfair ratio. Of these ten solos, several could have been given to the mezzo to sing - they were certainly not beyond the average mezzo range.)

The rest of the album consists of duets - thirteen of them. Eleven of the thirteen duets are soprano/mezzo, and in spite of the mezzo's voice (from what one is permitted to hear of it) isn't bad, the duet performances are frankly awful, chiefly because of Ms Pitt. Even the superior quality of Philip Langridge's singing cannot save the two duets he sings with Amanda Pitt.

It's artistically an insulting and atrociously unbalanced distribution of material.

Look for the John Mark Ainsley/Lisa Milne recording of Quilter songs & arias. Admittedly, it doesn't include most of the duets on this CD, but oh, the sheer pleasure of hearing well-trained and lovely voices give Quilter a worthy treatment!

Average customer rating:

Beautiful Nylon
4 stars but there are still some questionables
Steve Hackett demonstrates why he is the man
This is beautiful music

A Midsummer Night's Dream

Manufacturer: Angel Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Metamorpheus
Live Archive 05
Sketches of Satie
Wild Orchids
Seven: A Suite for Orchestra

ASIN: B000002SML
Release Date: 1997-04-01

Tracks:

The Palace Of Theseus
A Form In Wax
By Paved Fountain
Titania
Set Your Heart At Rest
Oberon
Within This Wood
In the Beached Margent Of The Sea
Between The Cold Moon And The Earth
Puck
Helena
Peaseblossom, Cobweb, Moth & Mustardseed
Mountains Turned Into Clouds
The Lunatic, The Lover & The Poet
Starlight
Lysander And Demetrius
Celebration
All Is Mended

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful Nylon.......2002-10-12

Anyone who's ever listened to one of Steve Hackett's "rock" albums would not be surprised to hear this tremendous work. The "classical" side of Hackett's phenomenal talent is apparent in every album of his. This one may be the best to date in that genre. I was introduced to nylon classical guitar at a very yound age, but only fell in love with the instrument after hearing Hackett play. If you love it too, buy this CD. If you don't--even if you could never imagine listening to an album of acoustic guitar--buy this CD anyway and marvel at the performance. Or give it as a gift.

4 stars but there are still some questionables.......1999-06-01

I have long been a fan of Steve Hacketts work. In this album a collection of short descriptive works concerning Shakespeare's famous play, Steve Hackett's melodious music is some of the best in the classical guitar field. There are some gripes I have though, which warrant a 1 star deduction. Steve uses too much rolling of the chords which serves only to break up the melody. Secondly, I don't know the full story behind this one--it may even be listed somewhere on the CD jacket, but there are melodies, passages etc, even whole sections which I believe were written for orchestra, and recorded by someone else about a decade ago. ( I will not use the word "P" word as again I don't know the full story).

Steve Hackett demonstrates why he is the man.......1999-05-18

One of the most phenomenal classical albums I've ever heard. I never tire of it, particularly tracks 12+, which take on a profound, contemplative tone. I recommend this to anyone who appreciates excellence in songwriting.

This is beautiful music.......1999-04-22

This CD is a classical guitar concerto written by Steve Hackett. The guitar work on this CD is simply magnificent. Mr. Hackett makes the guitar sound like a pure work of art. I have never had this CD on for background music when it did not evoke a comment from the casual listener. For those of you who love Steve's rock work I would say listen to this CD to see the other side of him. He is truelly a guitar virtuoso. Words cannot do justice to the beauty of the music on this CD, it must be heard.

Magdalena Kozená - Love Songs (Dvorak, Janacek, Martinu)

Average customer rating:

On the Subject of Intelligent and Sensitive Recitals
Lovely
A Beautiful Disc
A stunning burst onto the world stage
Wonderful songs, and a singer with great potential

Magdalena Kozená - Love Songs (Dvorak, Janacek, Martinu)
Antonin Dvorak , Bohuslav Martinu , Leos Janacek , Magdalena Kozená , and Graham Johnson
Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Songs: Magdalena Kozena
Magdalena Kozená - Le belle immagini (Mozart, Gluck, Myslivecek)
Lamento
French Arias
Bach - Cantatas BWV 199, 179, 113 / Kozená · Towers · Padmore · Loges · Gardiner

ASIN: B00004SDO1
Release Date: 2000-08-08

Tracks:

Love Songs: Oh, Our Love Does Not Bloom
Love Songs: Death Dwells In So Many A Heart
Love Songs: Now I Stumble Past The House
Love Songs: I Know That In Sweet Hope
Love Songs: Gentle Slumber Reigns Over The Countryside
Love Songs: Here In The Forest By A Brook
Love Songs: In The Sweet Power Of Your Eyes
Love Songs: Oh, Dear Matchless Soul
New Miniatures: The Rich Sweetheart
New Miniatures: The Forsaken Lover
New Miniatures: Lounging
New Miniatures: The Inquisitive Girl
New Miniatures: The Cheerful Girl
New Miniatures: The Unhappy Lover
New Miniatures: The Request
New Miniatures: The Tall Tower
Songs For A Friend Of My Country: Ponies On The Fallow Land
Songs For A Friend Of My Country: The Lost Little Slipper
Songs For A Friend Of My Country: A Religious Song
Songs For A Friend Of My Country: An Invitation
Four Songs: You Heartfelt Songs
Four Songs: Oh, That Was A Beautiful, Golden Dream
Four Songs: In Pain, My Heart Often Broods
Four Songs: Silence On The Mountains
Lullaby
Songs For One Page: Dew
Songs For One Page: Unlocking With A Single Word
Songs For One Page: Journey To The Beloved
Songs For One Page: The Footpath
Songs For One Page: At Mother's
Songs For One Page: The Virgin Mary's Dream
Songs For One Page: Rosemary
New Slovak Songs: So Tell Me
New Slovak Songs: I Had A Blouse
Moravian Folk Poetry In Songs: Who Is The Posy For?
Moravian Folk Poetry In Songs: A Lover's Picture
Moravian Folk Poetry In Songs: Little Posy
Moravian Folk Poetry In Songs: Constancy
Moravian Folk Poetry In Songs: Love
Moravian Folk Poetry In Songs: Parting
Moravian Folk Poetry In Songs: My Lover's Horses
Good Night, My Darling

Amazon.com

The composers Antonín Dvorák, Leos Janácek, and Bohuslav Martinu might not be the names that first spring to mind when love songs are mentioned, yet this fascinating collection gives us a taste of what delights we have been missing. They range from seven Moravian folk songs, collected by Janácek at the turn of the century, to songs written by Martinu in the U.S. in 1942. There's also early Martinu--including songs he collected in Slovakia in 1920--plus the world-premiere recording of Songs for a Friend of My Country, a cycle he wrote in France in 1940 on his way to America. All of these songs are of interest in giving us another aspect of each composer's work; most have much more to offer. Many are achingly lovely, especially those by Dvorák--including his Op. 2, a reworking of four songs from a cycle he had written almost 20 years earlier, and Love Songs, a revision of eight songs from the same cycle. "Good night, my darling," from his 1886 cycle In Folk Tone, is worth the price of this CD alone. Czech mezzo Magdalena Kozená, who put together the program, sings with pure, attractive tone. Graham Johnson is her excellent accompanist. --Richard Fawkes

Customer Reviews:

On the Subject of Intelligent and Sensitive Recitals.......2005-05-19

Combing the recorded literature to find CDs that showcase singers who not only own brilliant vocal gifts but who also possess the intelligence to program recordings of lesser known works in a sequence that makes for intelligent recitals, it is becoming more obvious that there are many singers who opt for purity of purpose rather than 'salesmanship' of careers in the PR arena. Magdalena Kozená is one of these gifted singers whose intelligence and sensitivity match her physical and vocal beauty.

LOVE SONGS is a tastefully selected panorama of lesser-known songs by Kozená's fellow countrymen (Czech) Antonín Dvorák, Leos Janácek, and Bohuslav Martinu. And while many of the Dvorák and Janácek songs have been occasionally heard in recitals, the Martinu "Songs for a Friend of My Country", an exquisitely beautiful work written in 1940, here receives its World Premiere recording. Kozená's voice is in prime condition for these songs and she is ably accompanied by pianist Graham Johnson. The special flavor of these Slavic emotions and songs has rarely been so well captured.

But over and above the beauty of Kozená's performance of these neglected masterpieces shines the glow of her sensitive programming. Recordings such as these are rare and should be included in the libraries of those who appreciate the lieder genre. Highly recommended. Grady Harp, May 05

Lovely.......2004-03-25

This is a beautifully performed selection of Czech lieder. Kozena has a lovely voice and sings with precision and nicely modulated emotion. The accompanying pianist, Graham Johnston, is excellent. Despite the title, not all these songs are love or romantic songs but all are well worth hearing. The selection of songs is excellent. Different listeners will prefer different songs. For me, the highlight of this recording are the rarely heard Martinu songs, many of which exhibit the lyrical aspect of his compositional style. Recommended strongly.

A Beautiful Disc.......2002-01-06

This is simply a magnificent recording. I like it better every time I put it on. The voice is fresh, supple, and expressive. I even find myself trying to learn some of the Czech words (from the translation in the booklet) they sound so nice. Both Kozena and the brilliant piano contributions by Graham Johnson are faithfully caught on the recording. There is enough variety and contrast that one doesn't tire in the least (over the generous 67 minutes of playing time) of hearing these playful, sometimes poignant, songs. One of the best discs, in terms of programming, performance, and sound quality, of the past couple of years.

A stunning burst onto the world stage.......2001-12-17

Magdalena Kozena is suddenly known around the world, thanks to this stunning disc of 42 lieder from her Czech homeland. Most of the songs are short - some come in under a minute, the longest 3-4 minutes. Each is a little gem and many have never been recorded before.

Kozena's voice is sheer delight. She does have resonances in her voice which are reminiscent of her compatriot, Lucia Popp, but is certainly a mezzo - although she has chosen her repertoire well so we hear no strain at the top. Her low resonances are delightful and consistent with her head voice. To compare Kozena's voice to that of the late diva (Popp), it is more pure, more consistent in tone from top to bottom, and doesn't have so much of the `squeezey' quality which Popp used to great effect in evincing the passion of her characters. Kozena can empty her voice of vibrato or let it out rich and full, and uses all her vocal resources to great effect in contrasting the individual songs. She has astoundingly mature lieder-singer's technique for such a young singer.

This recording rightly won a Gramophone award this year. Kozena deserves all the accolades she receives for this - doubtless all listeners will develop their own favourites from these delightful miniatures.

Wonderful songs, and a singer with great potential.......2000-10-08

What a wonderful, carefully thought out CD! Kozena obviously revels in these rarely performed songs by Dvorak, Martinu, and Janacek, and Johnson accompanies with his usual ease and sensitivity. What a pity the piano is balanced distantly -- we hear little of Johnson's variety of touch and dynamics. As for Kozena, she is obviously an intelligent musician with a voice of great potential. It is qutie beautiful as it is, yet the colour is still rather pale. Yes, there is something of the late Lucia Popp's timbre, yet it has little of Popp's depth and range of colour. BBC Legends released a CD of Popp a year ago which includes three Dvorak songs also sung by Kozena. The differences are quite marked -- while Kozena's timbre and interpretation suggests a dreamy yet earnest youth, Popp brings out an autumnal glow and a sharp pain that pierces at least this listener's heart. Kozena has started a wonderful career. Only time will tell how her voice will develop. I do hope it goes in the direction of Popp's unique lyric timbre. No one could ever equal Popp (perhaps it's obvious by now that Popp is my favorite singer of all time), but perhaps Kozena will become something of Popp's heir, while still being her own person. I hope so. But her musicality is not in question. Let's keep our ears open!

Dvorak: Moravian Duets Op32; Suk: Songs Op15

Average customer rating:

Dvorak: Moravian Duets Op32; Suk: Songs Op15

Manufacturer: Chandos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000000AU6
Release Date: 1995-07-18

Average customer rating:

A Generous Packet of Art Songs by American Composer John Duke
just spring review... great CD

Just-Spring: Art Songs of John Duke

Manufacturer: New World Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Songs by Roger Quilter
John Woods Duke: Lieder
Favorite English Songs
But Yesterday Is Not Today-The American Art Song 1927-1972
Permit Me Voyage: Songs by American Composers

ASIN: B00005V9UK
Release Date: 2002-01-01

Tracks:

Just-Spring
Acquainted With the Night
Water that Falls and Runs Away
I Carry Your Heart
The Mountains Are Dancing
April Elegy
Morning in Paris
There Will Be Stars
Good Morning, Midnight
Heart! We will forget him!
Bee! Im expecting you!
The Bird
Little Elegy
All Music, All Delight
Shes Somewhere in the Sunlight Strong
Bells in the Rain
Penguin Geometry
O, it was out by Donnycarney
Aubade
I cant be talkin of love
Walking in the Rain
Merry-go-round

Album Description

John Duke (1899-1984) is one of the acknowledged masters of the American art song. This release of twenty-three of his finest songs will afford lovers of vocal music the opportunity to discover Duke's little-known corpus. Comparison with the musical language of other notable American art song composers (Griffes, Loeffler, or Ives, for instance) reveals an unusually consistent and personal style throughout most of Duke's career, the composer venturing only slightly afield of a conventional tonal practice derived mostly from European music of the nineteenth century. Musical influences on his language, in fact, are almost entirely European; most of his songs have an accompanimental texture unmistakably his, continuing, in a way, the tradition of the German Lied, using poems in English.

Duke often claimed, both in his writings and in conversation with colleagues, to have developed his art song style somewhat self-consciously after having studied in great detail the historical, poetical, and musical contexts of three previous genres exhibiting a marriage of music and poetry: the Elizabethan song, the nineteenth-century Lied and the French mélodie of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. His choice of poetry avoids almost completely the abstract in favor of the tried and true themes of love and mortality, themes that most composers have found the most suitable for musical treatment. Duke's music is taken very seriously by those who know his work intimately. After all, about how many American composers could it be said that all 265 songs have a natural feel for the voice, an elegantly matched pianistic accompaniment, a recognizable and personal style, and a musical language that never resorts to false syntax? It is easy to see why American singers love to sing his songs.

Customer Reviews:

A Generous Packet of Art Songs by American Composer John Duke.......2006-01-27

Though his name may not be a household word among American composers, to singers the lieder of John Woods Duke are a staple of the recital repertoire. A composer well respected in his lifetime (1899 - 1984), his 265 catalogued songs are the epitome of the marriage of text and music. His musical style never veered from melodic but his integration of poetry with his expressive understanding of the voice places him in the same category with Ives, Griffes, Rorem, Barber, Heggie et al.

This fine recital by soprano Lauralyn Kolb, a former student of the highly regarded Howard Swan of Occidental College and a sought after oratorio soloist and recitalist, with pianist Tina Toglia is a study in musical intelligence. Kolb's soprano voice is beautifully focused and her communication of the texts ranging from ee cummings, Emily Dickinson, Elinor Wylie, Sarah Teasdale, Robert Frost, Richard Nickson, Mark Van Doren to James Joyce is pristine and warmly sensitive. Her collaboration with Toglia demonstrates the way musicians should approach the art song. There are many excellent songs in this collection that could be singled out, but the pleasure of the recital is that the variety selected by the artists is very satisfying for a survey of works by a relatively unknown (to the public) composer. Recommended. Grady Harp, January 06

just spring review... great CD.......2005-08-20

fast shipment, everything recieved as promised. good seller to buy from. thank you.

Average customer rating:

The Great Voices of the Century, Vol. 2

Manufacturer: Rajon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Czech | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Hymns | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Masses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Musical Theater | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0007KUIU0
Release Date: 2005-02-14

Tracks:

Stars Were Brightly Shining (From "Tosca")
Come In The Gondola (From "Night In Venice")
Because
Open Road (From "The Gypsy Baron")
Merry Widow Waltz
Count Your Blessings
All Through The Night
Maidens Of Cadiz
Tristesse
If You Were The Only Girl In The World
Silver Threads Among The Gold
Deep In My Heart, Dear (From "The Student Prince")
Songs My Mother Taught Me
Torna A Surriento
Over The Rainbow (From "The Wizard Of Oz")
Parted
Bachelor Gay (From "Maid Of The Mountains")
Trottin To The Fair
White Wings
Lost Chord
Creed
Drinking Song (From "Merry Wives Of Windsor"
De Glory Road
Ol Man River (From "Showboat")
Changing Of The Guard
Blue Danube
Huguette (From "Vagabond King")
If I Were A Blackbird
ILl Sing A Song Of Love To You
Intermezzo
Panis Angelicus
Berceuse De "Jocelyn"
WeLl Gather Lilacs (From "Perchance To Dream")
Holy City
O For The Wings Of A Dove
Goodnight (From "Cousin From Nowhere")
Believe Me If All Those Endearing Young Charms
Drink To Me Only With Thine Eyes
ChElla Mi Creda Libero ( From "Girl Of The Golden West")
Loves Old Sweet Song
Last Rose Of Summer
River Stay Way From My Door
OSilver Moon (From "Russalka")
La Marseillaise
Nessun Dorma (From "Turandot")
Who Tied The Knot (From "Gypsy Baron")
They Call Me Mimi (From "La Boheme")
Rosary
Song Of India (From "Sadko")
Serenade
My Heart & I (From "Old Chelsea")
Smilin Through
Sanctuary Of The Heart
Vilia (From "Merry Widow")
ILl Take You Home Again, Kathleen
I Love You Truly
Road To The Isles
Eriskay Love Lilt
Vivere
Old Father Thames
Tales From The Vienna Woods
Oriental Prayer (From "Lakme")
My Song Goes Round The World
I Love Thee
On The Road To Mandalay
Wiegenlied (Cradle Song)

Album Description

3 CD set from the Rajon 'Great Series'. 66 tracks. 2005.

Average customer rating:

Life is Beautiful thru music

La Vie Est Belle (Life Is Beautiful)

Manufacturer: Umvd Import
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

From Holland with Love: Waltzes I've Saved for You
The Homecoming
Dreaming
Tuscany
Andre Rieu - The Homecoming

ASIN: B00004XQK9
Release Date: 2004-03-23

Tracks:

La Vie Est Belle
You Are My Hearts Delight
Juliska From Budapest
Danube Love (Waves Of The Danube/Love Live Forever)
Ole Guapa
Kalinka
Ramona
Heia In The Mountains
Stenka Rasin
I Want To Dream Of You, My Darling
Lara's Theme
Snowwhite (Heigh-Ho/Someday My Prince Will Come)
Amazing Grace
Poliushko Polie
Glenn Miller Melody (St. Louis Blues/American Patrol
The Andre Sisters (Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy/South American Way/Bei Mir Bist Du Schon/In The Mood/Rum And Coca Cola/Tico Tico/Say Si Si)
Bolero

Customer Reviews:

Life is Beautiful thru music.......2006-12-29

This music is wonderful - well done and so enjoyable over and over again. The music flows thru you as you listen and lets your mind float away in dreamland.

Carole Bogard: A Collection of American Songs

Average customer rating:

beautiful songs
A flawless and fascinating recital

Carole Bogard: A Collection of American Songs

Manufacturer: Parnassus
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Just-Spring: Art Songs of John Duke
But Yesterday Is Not Today-The American Art Song 1927-1972

ASIN: B00005LPYJ
Release Date: 2001-06-26

Customer Reviews:

beautiful songs.......2007-05-09

A welcome reissue in CD format from old LP's of Carpenters compositions : song cycles of very well known lyrics. Particularly fascinating are the renderings of poems from "Gitanjali", a collection of poems by Rabindranath Tagore in English translated from original Bengali; a work that got Nobel prize in 1913 (Not the Pullitzer prize as mentioned in th accompanying text). The songs on lyrics/poems by other poets, all americans are just as beautiful. Well done.

A flawless and fascinating recital.......2005-04-14

This 2-CD set by soprano Carole Bogard is an absolute must-have for lovers of American songs, song recitals in general, or great singing. Culled from three long-out-of-print LPs and some performance tapes recorded for broadcast in Europe, it includes songs by Carpenter, Flanagan, Copland, Rorem, and the little-known Richard Cumming and John Woods Duke. And yet, there is not a single weak track on the entire set. Every song is interesting (something that cannot be said for many similar recitals recorded today), and each and every song is performed with musical acuity and an attention to words.

Particularly interesting, to me, were the songs by John Alden Carpenter. Largely neglected by modern singers and scholars, Carpenter wrote what many feel is the most successful fusion of classical music with jazz, the ballet tone-poem "Skyscrapers." It had the misfortune to premiere in 1924, the same year as Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue"; but whereas "Rhapsody" was more of a pastiche, "Skyscrapers" blends the jazz and classical aspects flawlessly, producing an exciting and well-crafted work that deserves a wider audience.

The Carpenter songs presented here are not jazzy, but they do reveal a greater depth of feeling and originality in construction than one hears nowadays from the songs of Andre Previn or Jake Heggie. And the other pieces are equally excellent.

I highly recommend this album, especially for Sunday afternoon or summertime listening...between the excellence of the songs and the excellence of Bogard's singing, you just melt into the music and become one with the warm, intimate feeling that this recital engenders.