An Elizabethan Songbook [Import]

Product Description:
This is a Lovely Recital Celebrating the Diversity of Elizabethan Song. Accompanied by her Husband Anthony Rooley on Lute, Kirkby Especially Turns her Attention to Selections which Display the Period's Numerous Variety of Takes on the Subject of Secular Love. Now Over 30 Years Old, this Recital Still Sounds as Vital and Sincere as Ever.

An Elizabethan Songbook,Emma Kirkby,Dowland,Campion,Other,Eloquence/Decca,Classical,Classical Artists

Average customer rating: Ewazen is great; Snow's "Winter" is better Great composers Elegant Trumpet Music Elegantly Played

Winter: Music of Eric Ewazen and David Snow Manufacturer: Albany Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classical | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Orchestral Music & Concertos by Eric Ewazen Shadowcatcher Chamber Music Of Eric Ewazen Sejong Plays Ewazen Music for the Soloists of the American Brass Quintet and Friends by Eric Ewazen ASIN: B00029LN5A Release Date: 2004-06-29

Tracks:

1. Three Lyrics for Trumpet and Piano
2. Winter
3. Elegia
4. An Elizabethan Songbook
5. A Baker's Tale
6. Aftershock
7. A Hymn for the Lost and the Living

Album Description

Chris Gekker is Professor of Trumpet at the University of Maryland. As a soloist he has been featured at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and throughout the United States, Asia, and Europe. For 18 years Chris was a member of the American Brass Quintet. He was principal trumpet of the Orchestra of St. Luke's and frequently performed and recorded as principal of the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra. He writes: "Eric Ewazen, David Snow, and I all entered the Eastman School of Music as freshmen in 1972, and in fact David and I were roommates that first year. We all became friends quickly, and I frequently prepared and performed their music during those student years. In the more than 30 years since then, rarely has a year gone by that I have not been involved in their works, and in some years there have been many performances. When I joined the American Brass Quintet in 1981, it was with great pleasure that I introduced pieces by David and Eric to the group, works that immediately became standards on the Quintet's recital programs and recordings. As far as our friendships have gone, well, some things do get better with age, and it is with a deep sense of gratitude that I look back upon all our years as colleagues. Both Eric and David write music that is important to me, music that I hear when I am away from my instrument, music that continues to challenge me to strive for improvement as a musician and trumpet player". David Snow holds degrees in music from Eastman and Yale University. He studied with Joseph Schwantner, Warren Benson, Samuel Adler, and Jacob Druckman. Eric Ewazen was born in 1954 in Cleveland, Ohio. He studied at Eastman and Juilliard. He has been Vice-President of the League-ISCM, Composer-in-Residence with the St. Luke's Chamber Ensemble. Lecturer for the New York Philharmonic's Musical Encounters Series, and he has been on the faculty of the Juilliard School since 1980.

Customer Reviews:

Ewazen is great; Snow's "Winter" is better.......2006-11-27

This is not your typical trumpet showcase album. The music is beautiful and moving. Eric Ewazen is a great composer because, among other things, he knows how to write melodies and set them to music. No forearms to the piano keyboard. No pyrotechnics. Everything starts with his melodies. Of course his craftsmanship is found in the wonderful ways he sets these musical ideas. He has four pieces on this CD, and I cannot pick a favorite. The duo with Milt Stephens on trombone is somewhat lighter music, but by no means inferior.

As much as I admire Ewazen's music here, Snow's "Winter" surpasses it. A more noble principal theme I have not heard. In three movements, the last two without interruption, it is a twenty-minute masterpiece. Episodic in character, it it the anti-sonata. This is music where form follows function. Despite the fact that the trumpet plays the eleven-bar theme only three times in roughly twenty minutes, the entire piece hangs on those three statements. Snow's craftsmanship consists in the success with which he sets and resets this theme. The result is hugely enjoyable. One cannot help but feel ennobled when listening to this music, a salutary benefit of good music if ever there was one. (Of course, one hesitates to say it in a day when cynicism and skepticism cast "ennoblement" in an unfavorable light. But I will say it anyway, because one of the things this CD does is make a case for "ennoblement" as something good, something that needs to be revived, and not merely a myth to be regularly exploded by "civilization" and "the arts." It does this, not in word, but in melody. The other extreme--the annihilation of "ennoblement"--is found in "rap music," which has no melody but instead vulgarity. End of pertinent tangent.)

Which brings us to Gekker's playing. The best trumpet players are first of all lyrical; everything else is secondary to an ability to play a melody without resorting to musical cliches or schmaltz. Gekker's playing is first and foremost lyrical. Indeed, with this CD he elevates the trumpet as a lyrical vehicle. His style highlights the music and not his own capabilities. He eschews flashy displays. His technical command is a means to an end and not an end in itself. There is a quality of understatement in his playing I find unique. He seems to always hold something in reserve, which I suppose all the great players do. It says everything about Gekker's playing that the music is paramount, the performer secondary. When in the history of brass music have people talked more about the music than the brass player?

Great composers.......2006-03-27

I loved most all the pieces. Two great American composers. Great trumpet performances. The music cathes a light jazz flavor with a classic Romatic feel. Mr. Snow and Mr. Ewazen keep up the good work. We're listening
Steve Ward

Elegant Trumpet Music Elegantly Played.......2004-06-30

I love everything about this CD. It is primarily a solo album by Chris Gekker, one of the finest trumpet players around. I've known his playing since he arrived in Kansas City more than twenty-five years ago, a kid just out of school, to assume the second trumpet chair in our local symphony. He went on to become a long-time member of the American Brass Quintet, to play in the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra and the Orchestra of St. Luke's. He is now professor of trumpet at the University of Maryland. His playing just gets better and better.

This CD consists of pieces by Eric Ewazen (one of my favorite composers for brass whose neo-romantic music has been commissioned repeatedly by the ABQ and whose concerto disc on Albany featuring the International Sejong Soloists rated a rave from me and others) and David Snow, a composer new to me. It turns out that Gekker, Ewazen and Snow have known each other since they were students together at Eastman in the 1970s; in fact, Gekker and Snow were roommates. Ewazen is represented by 'Three Lyrics for Trumpet and Piano,' 'Elegia,' 'An Elizabethan Songbook' (which also features trombonist Milt Stevens; his and Gekker's duets are delectable in this music), 'Aftershock,' and 'A Hymn for the Lost and the Living.' Snow's contributions are the four-movement 'Winter' for trumpet and piano (which gives this album its title) and 'A Baker's Tale.' The fine assisting pianists are Ted Guerrant and an old acquaintance from the Aspen Music Festival, Rita Sloan. All of the players are in one way or another associated with the strong school of music at the University of Maryland.

Ewazen's music is notable for its unfailingly beautiful melodies (and here Gekker is in his element; his lyrical playing is very nearly in a class of its own) and piquant harmonies. Snow's is rather more jazz-inflected (and indeed he has recorded his own jazz CD entitled, I'm not kidding, 'Larry, the Stooge in the Middle'). The overall tone of the entire 70:12 minute CD is gently songful, although there are some occasional dramatic and rollicking moments. If you have the idea that trumpet music is always martial, you need this CD as an antidote: this is lovely and contemplative music-making.

Highly recommended.

Scott Morrison

Average customer rating: THE SORT OF MUSIC THAT BOSTRIDGE'S VOICE WAS MADE FOR Artistry beyond measure Perfectly Enjoyable Do Not Be Deceived By His Look Of Innocence One of the best English-Song CD's available

Ian Bostridge - The English Songbook Manufacturer: Angel Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Britten | Britten, Sir Benjamin | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Delius, Frederick | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Finzi, Gerald | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Grainger | Grainger, Percy Aldridge | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Vaughan Williams, Ralph | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Warlock | Warlock, Peter | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Vaughan Williams, Ralph | Composers | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Bostridge, Ian | ( B ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Folk Songs | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Ian Bostridge - Songs of Faure, Debussy & Poulenc Ian Bostridge - Schubert Lieder, Volume II Ian Bostridge - J.S. Bach: Cantatas & Arias / Biondi, Europa Galante Ian Bostridge - Schubert Lieder, Volume I Ian Bostridge - Liederkreis Op. 24, Dichterliebe Op. 48 & 7 Lieder ASIN: B00002CF0T Release Date: 1999-11-02

Tracks:

1. La Belle Bame sans Merci
2. Sleep
3. I Will Go With My Father A-Ploughing
4. The Cloths of Heaven
5. To Gratiana Dancing and Singing
6. To Lucasta, On Going To The Wars
7. Twilight Fancies
8. Orpheus With His Lute
9. Jillian of Berry
10. Cradle Song
11. The Dance Continued
12. Linden Lea
13. Silent Noon
14. My Love's An Arbutus
15. The Death of Queen Jane
16. No Longer Mourn For Me
17. Since We Loved
18. The Sally Gardens
19. Rest, Sweet Nymphs
20. Come Away, Death
21. Now Sleeps The Crimson Petal
22. Bold William Taylor
23. Brigg Fair
24. The Little Turtle Dove

Customer Reviews:

THE SORT OF MUSIC THAT BOSTRIDGE'S VOICE WAS MADE FOR.......2002-10-09

Ian Bostridge has one of the most beautiful voices on record, and he has consistently shown courage and wisdom in selecting material that will extend and develop his gifts. Not all of this material has been a perfect match for his young and soaring tenor voice, notably some of Schubert's more dramatic "lieder". In contrast, nothing could be more perfectly suited to his voice than this generous and beautiful collection of traditional English poetic settings by Britten, Finzi, Grainger, Warlock and others.

Bostridge brings more than just a beautiful tone and a subtle musical phrasing to these songs. The challenge any intepreter of English songs has to face is that, in contrast with the pure syllables of most continental languages, the complex vowels of "Southern British English" are formidably difficult to render attractively in song. It's not just a question of singing them prettily. Think how accurately the pronunciation of a word like "house" or "bath" can betray someone's geographical and social background; our vowels are a caste-mark as well as a means of communication. But somehow Bostridge himself, in his fruitful partnership with Julius Drake, manages to transcend our socio-linguistic divisions and deliver these songs in a way that places no barrier between the listener and the music.

The material is wonderful in its own right - a collection of lilting pastoral airs and occasional boisterous ditties. They are at one and the same time ancient and modern, embracing at once the mutual cross-fertilisation between classical and "pop" sensibilities that has always underpinned the best of English music. Even the most trivial of these songs (e.g. "Jillian of Berry") are memorable, and some of them (notably Sir Charles Stanford's chilling musical setting of the Keats' poem, "La Belle Dame Sans Merci") would not have been beneath Schubert himself.

It has been fashionable over the generations to belittle British classic music. "The land without song" England was dubbed, as the sleeve notes poignantly remind us. This CD is a healthy reminder that the global success of English popular music in the latter four decades of the 20th century did not appear out of nowhere; it was built on a solid foundation of past accomplishment that it was for too long fashionable to dismiss. Highly recommended.

Artistry beyond measure.......2002-09-20

This disk is a wonderful treasure. "To Gratiana Dancing and Singing" is an exquisite song that you should not go another day without hearing. I am speaking literally.

Mr. Bostridge's interpretation of Browne's song is amazingly compelling. His ability to express goes beyond that of most other singers - even some great ones. He notes the problems in singing in English (the "extra" vowels, the English vs. German approach to word painting, etc.) and I have to say he triumphs on this disk.

As he also notes, this is NOT a recording of a recital program nor are the songs "English" in nationality - the songs are just set to texts in the English language. I had not heard of some of these composers, but I am enthusiastic in saying that every song on this disk has something very nice to recommend it - at least at the voice and hands of Ian Bostridge and Julian Drake.

I must say a few words about Mr. Drake's playing. Overall he is simply incredible. He has a beauty of tone and a singing style that is not in anyway mere accompaniment. It really isn't even a partnership. It is a unity of artistry that creates this single entity, a song. There aren't many that can pull this off and Mr. Drake should be treasured for this ability. Just amazing artistry.

Please get every disk that Mr. Bostridge and Mr. Drake have done together. You will thank me for recommending this if you didn't know this already. Feel free to email me with your thoughts on this disk or any comments you have about Bostridge and Drake.

Perfectly Enjoyable.......2002-02-09

I already liked Ian Bostridge, but I thought "English songs" would be rather light and without substance. But I have fallen in love with this CD and never tire of it! I was already an admirer of Vaughan Williams, Britten, Finzi, Warlock and Delius, and I'm glad for this introduction to other composers as well. Also, much beautiful poetry is chosen, from Shakespeare, Yeats, Rossetti, Keats, and others, and each is treated with careful consideration by the composer, *partnering* music with poetry rather than simply enhancing or overshadowing the lyric. Bostridge seems to have the perfect voice for this music, light and charming when appropriate, heart-breaking at other times, always an engaging storyteller. He obviously understands intimately each word and note that he sings. The listener can hear his facial expressions and body language! The English Songbook is a beautiful collection of excellent craftsmanship, and one of the best CDs I have.

Do Not Be Deceived By His Look Of Innocence.......2001-10-14

Just look at Ian on the cover photo of this CD. He's sitting there looking coy, playing with his finger, hair a little mussed, with a very cute boyish smile, as if to say, "I didn't do anything wrong mommy, honest." Well he has done it this time.

This CD was my first exposure to Ian Bostridge. I bought it because I was very surprised to know that one of my favorite poems, the Cloths of Heaven by Yeats, was set to music. I spent 17 bucks for one song, and ended up cashing in on 23 others.

To Gratiana Dancing and Singing quickly became a favorite, as did Bold William Taylor. This last one was my first realization of Ian's gift of storytelling. Somehow he is able to make his voice sound like a woman, namely Sally Gray, and the narrator, and the macho Captain, all in the same song. The multiple personalities come out to play similarly in The Death of Queen Jane. I am lulled into quiet reflection and relaxation when Ian sings the Cradle Song.

Check out his CDs of Schubert Lieder, also accompanied by Julius Drake. Ian may be even more at home in German than he is in his native English! Julius is at home with Schubert, especially the water songs, and we are at home listening to this wonderfully weird, warm voice paired with masterful piano playing.

One of the best English-Song CD's available.......2001-09-12

Unlike the reviewer "A music fan from California, USA" I realize that this is not a recital program of music (as even noted in the liner). This is though, an unequaled collection of some of the most beautiful English Songs ever. Ian is on top of his game and J Drake plays, well, I don't have the words. He never fails to impress with his skills. Each key under each finger sings! Back to Ian. As a professional tenor, I am in awe of his voice. It is tender, moving, all the things you want in a good recitalist, and (unlike any of the opera tenors I can think of) it is note perfect. Yes, there are times when his voice seems a little light for the song he may be performing, but it is passionate and caries the pathos of each note/word he sings. BUY THIS CD - you will love it for ever!

Average customer rating:

An Elizabethan Songbook [Australia] Kirkby , and Rooley Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Classical | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music Classical | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B000AL8ZEM Release Date: 2005-07-25

Tracks:

1. Where Grypinge Griefs (Richard Edwards)
2. Come Let Us Sound (Thomas Campion)
3. In This Trembling Shadow (John Dowland)
4. Like As The Lute Delights (John Danyel)
5. Saw My Ladye Weepe (John Dowland)
6. Rest Sweet Nimphs (Francis Pilkington)
7. When To Her Lute (Thomas Campion)
8. Musick Deare Sollace (Francis Pilkington)
9. I Saw My Ladye Weeping (Thomas Morley)
10. If In This Flesh (Robert Jones)
11. Come All Ye (Francis Pilkington)
12. Sweete Birdes Deprive Us Never (John Bartlett)

Album Description

This is a lovely recital celebrating the diversity of Elizabethan song. Accompanied by her husband Anthony Rooley on lute, Kirkby especially turns her attention to selections which display the period's numerous variety of takes on the subject of secular love. Now over 30 years old, this recital still sounds as vital and sincere as ever. Decca. 2005.

Album Details

This is a Lovely Recital Celebrating the Diversity of Elizabethan Song. Accompanied by her Husband Anthony Rooley on Lute, Kirkby Especially Turns her Attention to Selections which Display the Period's Numerous Variety of Takes on the Subject of Secular Love. Now Over 30 Years Old, this Recital Still Sounds as Vital and Sincere as Ever.

Average customer rating:

An Elizabethan Songbook / Cohen Manufacturer: Elatus ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music ASIN: B000RKXUAK

Product Description

Elatus 60332 (2003 reissue of 1998 Erato recording) DDD ~ Joel Cohen directs the Boston Camerata in a recording of Elizabethan songs by several English renaissance composers. ~ Liner notes contain song texts.

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