Customer Reviews

Art Songs and Arias: High Voice

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When it comes to American art song repertoire, Aaron Copland sets the standard for all others. This is pretty much the best and most complete selection of Copeland art songs and high-voice arias that I was able to find. This edition includes the Emily Dickinson songs and his vocalise that is not readily available in other compilations. this book is worth every penny or the selection of music it offers. It is an essential component of every soprano's library.

The difficulty of this 20th Century American Art Song repertoire is deceptive, since the music mirrors the trend of minimalism that was so prevelant during the time that Copland was composing. The pieces use a wide range of atonal melodies and open fourths and fifths to create what might be seen as a dissonant sound.

The Dickinson poems are a barely-connected cycle of songs based on twelve poems written by the beloved poet, Emily Dickinson. The vocal tricks used by Copland include a sort of hockett ("hick-up"), jumps of a tenth, and a sparse accompaniament that leaves the voice quite exposed. In order to sing these pieces (which the composer wished to be sung in a cycle, or back-to-back), the vocalist must have a solid technique, excellent pitch accuracy and great interpretative abilities. It would be a great benefit for any soloist to add the entire cycle to their repertoire in order to have it available for use as a focal or pivotal point of a recital.