The Deepest Desire [Import]

Leonard Bernstein (Composer), Aaron Copland (Composer), Jake Heggie (Composer), Joyce DiDonato (Performer), David Zobel (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Joyce DiDonato, David Zobel
• Composer: Leonard Bernstein, Aaron Copland, Jake Heggie
• Audio CD (January 10, 2006)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Eloquentia France
• ASIN: B000BTIU4I
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #108,559 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Extinguish my eyes...

2. When my soul touches yours...

3. Music I heard with you

4. What lips my lips have kissed

5. A Julia de Burgos

6. Nature, the gentlest mother

7. There came a wind like a bugle

8. Why do they shut me out of Heaven?

9. The world feels dusty

10. Heart, we will forget him

11. Dear March, come in!

12. Sleep is supposed to be

13. When they come back

14. I felt a funeral in my brain

15. I've heard an organ talk sometimes

16. Going to Heaven!

17. The chariot

18. Prelude; The Call - More is required - Love

19. I catch on fire

20. The deepest desire

See all 22 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rising Star, February 13, 2006

By 

Thomas F. Dillingham (Columbia, Missouri USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Deepest Desire (Audio CD)

Having been thrilled by Joyce DiDonato's performance in La Cenerentola in Kansas City, I have been eager to find any recorded performance by her; thankfully, her Cenerentola is now available (not the KC production, but a good one), and her earlier recording of Handel duets is an absolute must. Now comes this wonderful collection of American art songs, few of them well known even to a fan of this art form. DiDonato shows the same acting ability and musicianship in these varied songs as she demonstrates on stage. She is not afraid to stretch her voice for dramatic effect, but never (to my mind) oversteps or overacts the texts. Copland's Twelve Songs of Emily Dickinson have been performed and are more familiar than either the Bernstein or the Heggie songs on this disc, but I would urge anyone who loves the modern art song (and is willing to add another voice to such treasures as Dawn Upshaw, Jan De Gaetani, or Cathy Berberian in this kind of repertoire) to acquire this outstanding disc; nothing on it will disappoint.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Huzzah for this incredible American mezzo-soprano!, January 22, 2006

By 

M. D. Oakley Jr. "Wickedteercroquet" (Woodford, Virginia United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Deepest Desire (Audio CD)

Having just listened to the NPR interview with Mlle DiDonato, I immediately made a hard right in my aged 327,000 mile Toyota pick-up to visit a Tower Records store to see if anything by her was available. I discovered that "The Deepest Desire" had been released just a week previous, and purchased it immediately [sorry Amazon, I couldn't wait three weeks or so to receive it from your good offices]. This signature effort is a must for all who have eagerly awaited a passionate American mezzo-soprano who can dominate Europe!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Major Mezzo Voice AND Mind, July 13, 2006

By 

Grady Harp (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Deepest Desire (Audio CD)

For those who have not have the distinct pleasure of hearing Joyce DiDonato on the concert stage, this very fine recital is an excellent introduction to a gifted artist, a Mezzo Soprano whose reputation in European opera houses is well established but whose exposure in the US is far too small.

As an indication that she is more than just a beautiful voice, DiDonato has elected to make her first solo CD a recital of songs and arias by American composers (think Susan Graham, Dawn Upshaw, the much missed Jan DeGaetani and Lorraine Hunt Lieberson and others) and be entirely successful on every front. Included on this CD are Copland's 'Twelve Poems of Emily Dickinson', Jake Heggie's 'The Deepest Desire - Four Dramatic Songs of Praise', and Leonard Bernstein's haunting settings of Rilke poems as well as excerpts from his 'Songfest'. In each her diction is flawless, her intonation perfect, and the quality of every portion of her range is lusciously beautiful.

Joyce DiDonato is a communicator and we can only hope that as her operatic career blossoms in this country that she will continue to grace the recital stage with singing of the sublime intelligence with which she imbues these works. Highly Recommended. Grady Harp, July 06