Echoes of Nightingales [CD]

For those fortunate enough to have heard Christine in concert and most especially her concert version of Tristan und Isolde it may seem that this gifted artist should remain in the sanctity of the great dramatic soprano roles of the opera theater. But not so, for here, as on her several albums of lieder for soprano and orchestra she gives a tender nod to a tradition that has long been admired - and is now somewhat forgotten. This beautifully recorded CD is Christine Brewer's and her able collaborator, pianist Roger Vignoles' tribute to the great sopranos of the past who tossed a love bouquet to their audiences after recitals by offering simple but heartfelt encores - love songs to the audiences who adored them. After heavy duty workouts with Strauss and Wagner the likes of Kirsten Flagstad, Eleanor Steber, Helen Traubel, and Eileen Farrell would serenade with brief but lovely little songs. Some of the songs Brewer offers here include that famous farewell song that closed the Voice of Firestone radio show - 'If I Could tell You' - an dHarold Arlen's Happiness is just a Thing called Joe', Harold Vicars 'The Song of Songs', Frank La Forge's 'Hills' and 'Sweetheart' from Sigmund Romberg's Maytime.

In Brewer's words: 'This collection of songs was inspired by a long-time love of this mostly American repertoire. ... Stepping back into that era has been a joy to Roger and me, and I hope it will bring back memories to those who might have heard these women sing these songs, or perhaps ignite a new love affair for younger listeners!'

The complete list of songs and composers is as follows:
Sidney Homer (1864-1953): "Sing to me, sing," Op. 48
Edwin McArthur (1907-87): "Night"
Arthur Walter Kramer (1890-1969): "Now like a lantern," Op. 44, No. 5
Mildred Lund Tyson (1900-?): "Sea Moods"
Sir Landon Ronald (1873-1938): "O lovely night!"
James H. Rogers (1857-1940): "At Parting"
John Alden Carpenter (1876-1951): "The sleep that flits on baby's eyes"
Paul Sargent (1910-87): "Hickory Hill"
Vincent Youmans (1898-1946): "Through the years"
Paul Nordoff (1909-77): "There shall be more joy"
Frank La Forge (1879-1953): "Hills"
Frank Bridge (1879-1941): "Love went a-riding"
Idabelle Firestone (1874-1954): "In my garden"
Sigmund Romberg (1887-1951): "Will you remember? Sweetheart" from Maytime
Idabelle Firestone (1874-1954): "If I could tell you"
Trad./Thomas Moore (1779-1852), arr. Friedrich von Flotow (1812-1883): "The last rose of summer" from Martha
Harold Vicars (?-?): "The song of songs (Chanson du coeur brisé)"
John La Montaine (b.1920): "Stopping by woods on a snowy evening"
Harold Arlen (1905-86): "Happiness is a thing called Joe" from Cabin in the Sky
Leonard Bernstein (1918-90): "Some other time" from On the Town
Ernest Charles (1895-1984): "When I have sung my songs"
Celius Dougherty (1902-1986): "Review"

This is a gracious tribute to great ladies of song by another very great lady of song and heart. Grady Harp. June 11

I like parlor singing and I hoped this album would be a good example of that. I thought maybe Christine Brewer had a rich and intimate enough sound to carry this music off. But,no. It started with six songs sung as if Brunnhilde were in the living room looking for an orchestra at full strength. You don't need to scream these songs, but that's what you get here. Painful. It reminds me of a fancy "cultural evening" from some Marks Brothers movie. And none of the first five songs are worth hearing anyway. When we get to "At Parting" by James Rogers, things improve, but I am left wanting Charles Ives' arrangement which is much more interesting. Things deteriorate through the next several songs and we are back at full tilt yelling by "There Shall Be More Joy" by Paul Nordoff. "If I could Tell You" holds its own because, while it is stentorian, it is consistant, and it reminds me of the thick ladies and portly gentlemen who sang it on the Voice of Firestone TV show. "The Last Rose of Summer" is OK because it IS an opera aria and it can be sung as one effectively. Vicars's "Song of Songs" is actually good because Ms. Brewer restrains herself as if she finally guaged the size of the room and audience. That lasts through the next four songs which come off well. Bernstein's "Some Other Time" is really sad and I would listen to it again. The last song is a throw-away. When singers record these songs they need to remember that this is music for a large living room, small hall or, best of all, a dark cocktail lounge. Please sing accordingly. You will sound much better and you will connect emotionally. Yes, I like lieder in that style, too. I like screamers in Elektra. I would recommend against purchase.

This latest CD from Ms. Brewer is a total joy. We are familiar with her magnificent voice and love her choice of selections for recording, but this is something new and very exciting. ECHOES OF NIGHTINGALES offers her renditions of a wonderful variety of encores, as sung by some of the greatest sopranos in history. We own every CD Ms. Brewer has recorded and only hope that she gives us a Christmas CD this year.