- Composer: Ned Rorem
- Audio CD (27 Mar 2000)
- SPARS Code: DDD
- Number of Discs: 1
- Label: Erato
- ASIN: B00004R9BK
- Other Editions: MP3 Download
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 137,533 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
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Product details |
Track Listings
| 1. Sonnet [Bynner] | |||
| 2. Clouds [Goodman] | |||
| 3. Early In The Morning [Hillyer] | |||
| 4. The Serpent [Roethke] | |||
| 5. Now Sleeps The Crimson Petal [Tennyson] | |||
| 6. Opus 101 [Bynner] | |||
| 7. I Strolled Across An Open Field [Roethke] | |||
| 8. To A Young Girl [Yeats] | |||
| 9. Jeanie With The Light Brown Hair [after Foster] | |||
| 10. Ode [de Ronsard] | |||
| 11. For Poulenc [O'Hara] | |||
| 12. Littlle elegy [Wylie] | |||
| 13. Alleluia | |||
| 14. Look Down, Fair Moon [Whitman] | |||
| 15. O You Whom I Often And Silently Come [Whitman] | |||
| 16. I Will Always Love You [O'Hara] | |||
| 17. The Tulip Tree [Goodman] | |||
| 18. The Wintry Mind [Bynner] | |||
| 19. I Am Rose [Stein] | |||
| 20. The Lordly Hudson [Goodman] | |||
See all 32 tracks on this disc
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Contemporary composer Ned Rorem is usually likened to an American Schubert (living in Paris) for the fecundity, emotional range and quality of his songs--though this represents only one facet of his prolific career. Rorem's masterful 1998 cycle Evidence of Things Not Seen would seem to justify that reputation, as does this marvellous anthology from the Rorem songbook of the past half-century.
The composer is fond of dividing musicians into the "German" and the "French", clearly identifying himself with the latter for the elusive sparkle and subtle play of shadows that characterise his art. What other kind of sensibility could "through-compose" Gertrude Stein's "I Am Rose" in a deftly perfect 27 seconds? Fortunately, American lyric mezzo Susan Graham intuitively understands this expressive aspect, as does pianist-partner Malcolm Martineau. Graham is constantly attentive to the marriage of music and text in the 32 songs here and phrases their little worlds into being with grace and wit. She can shade to a sweet vanishing point or allow her voice to blossom, orchid-like, into a dazzling profusion of colours. Few of these songs--which draw on the poetry of Walt Whitman, Theodore Roethke, Frank O'Hara, and many others--last more than two minutes. But their resonance lingers, whether in the haunting "Opus 101" with its lean but potent string trio scoring, or the enigmatic "That Shadow, My Likeness" from Whitman. --Thomas May
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Like the previous on-line reviewer, I too had only come across the composer's name tangentally. These songs are a revelation. They are by someone who clearly loves the words he has set and has responded to them with a disarming simplicity. As a lover of the music for the human voice, it is a huge relief to find a contemporary composer who really understands how to carry meaning through the vocal line. The performances are first rate, with Susan Graham's voice caught in its absolute prime. Don't miss it.
2 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I first heard of Ned Rorem in my Penguin book of the symphony many years ago. Now I know he is a neglected American composer. I had always assumed we only had those in the UK. These songs are so simple yet so affecting. They are mostly accompanied by the piano but sometimes by a string trio. Susan Graham is perfect. If you are not too contaminated by the wrong-note school of composition, you will enjoy these glorious songs.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
15 reviews
14 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Must Have American Songs
6 Dec 2000
Format:Audio CD
One of the most important American song composers, Ned Rorem, is well represented on this disc. Susan Graham gives very good readings of Rorem's most famous works, and Malcolm Martineau's excellent piano playing gives further life to the songs.
If you're interested in American song, this disc is a must-add to your collection.
17 of 20 people found the following review helpful
The real art of song
15 April 2000
Format:Audio CD
This was better than I expected. Ned Rorem hasn't gotten the recognition he deserves, but he's one of the American treasures. You have to listen to these with an open mind about just what a "song" can mean. Yes, there are beautiful melodies, but what stands out is the fact that each song wonderfully illustrates the turns of the lyrical poems Rorem is using. the music doesn'tseem like an unnecessary addition, it's a perfect complement. Susan Graham has a radiant voice, but she also uses it smartly (much like a similarly gorgeous singer of today, Renee fLeming)and keeps it all sincere, never affected or cutesy. All told, a really interesting set for music lovers who are tired of the same old fare.
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Worthy indeed - a gem
27 Aug 2002
Format:Audio CD
I cannot disagree with "A Music Fan"'s panning of this CD. Having first purchased the Hearing CD which he/she references, I reached the conclusion that Rorem's music was too knotty and "20th century" for repeated listenings and enjoyment. This CD with Susan Graham completely reversed my opinion. The songs are indeed chosen to be accessible, but they are much more than that. They are, simply stated, lovely. This is a disc I will play again and again, and has caused me to investigate many other Rorem CDs. I just came on line to buy it as a gift for a friend. Rorem deserves his due, and this disc gives it to him.
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