Surprise: Cabaret Songs Bolcom Satie & Schoenberg

Measha Brueggergosman (Artist), Bolcom (Artist), Robertson (Artist), BBC (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 9, 2007)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Deutsche Grammophon
• ASIN: B000UNMUFA
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #134,653 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Surprise!

2. The Actor

3. Song Of Black Max

4. Amor

5. Toothbrush Time

6. The Total Stranger In the Garden

7. George

8. Gigerlette

9. Jedem Das Seine

10. Mahnung

11. Galathea

12. Nachtwandler

13. Einfaltiges Lied

14. Der Genugsame Liebhaber

15. Aus Dem Spiegel Von Arkadien

16. La Diva De L'empire

17. Tendrement

18. L'omnibus Automobile

19. Dapheneo

20. Je Te Veux

See all 21 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Measha Brueggergosman's first recording for DG features an original selection of newly orchestrated songs by Grammy® and Pulitzer prize-winning composer William Bolcom - all world-premiere recordings - as well as Schoenberg's Brettl Lieder and songs by Satie. In several songs Measha will be accompanied on the piano by none other than William Bolcom himself, who considers her an ideal interpreter of his compositions and who spontaneously decided to participate in her first DG recording after hearing her sing. Also performing with Brueggergosman is the BBC Symphony Orchestra under the leadership of David Robertson.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

177 of 180 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Lady to Watch, February 10, 2008

By 

Grady Harp (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Surprise: Cabaret Songs Bolcom Satie & Schoenberg (Audio CD)

Measha Brueggergosman continues to impress as an important soprano artist with her performances and recordings, and SURPRISE is a wise choice for her to demonstrate her gifts at this point. Hers is a voice of richness and full range of color and to this she adds intelligence and one of the finest levels of communication of text when compared to her peers. She is a fine artist at the beginning of what appears to be a very promising career.

Brueggergosman devotes this CD to songs of a cabaret nature and for those who remember Jessye Norman at the beginning of her career holding a concert hall rapt with her very personal approach to the cabaret medium, there are bound to be comparisons as Brueggergosman approaches some of the same literature. William Bolcom's 'Songs of Innocence and of Experience' is a solid theatrical collection of songs from many sources and here he has orchestrated some for one of his favored singers. Brueggergosman not only sings with a honeyed voice, but she also communicates the strange words of these songs with sensitive assurance.

Included in the SURPRISE collection are wonderfully animated songs of Satie with Bolcom serving as Brueggergosman's fluid accompanist. They work well, finding all the simple yet subtle aspects of Satie's peculiarly rewarding miniatures. Also included are Schoenberg's 'Brettl-Lieder' and here Brueggergosman manages to transmit the meanings of the German texts as though they were in the language of the listener. When the songs require orchestra the BBC is conducted by David Robertson who seems to be having as much involvement and enjoyment in his role as collaborator as his soloist.

Because the quality of her voice and her intelligent communication of text are matched by a stage presence that immediately bonds her with her audience, it is probable that Measha Brueggergosman is one her way to a bright career. Highly recommended. Grady Harp, February 08

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Measha never fails to deliver, December 11, 2007

By 

Kathryn - See all my reviews

This review is from: Surprise: Cabaret Songs Bolcom Satie & Schoenberg (Audio CD)

Measha's character and sense of humour shine through in this quarky collection of Cabaret songs by Bolcom, Schoenberg and Satie (with William Bolcom himself at the piano!) Her facility with languages is also showcased, as the Schoenberg songs are in German, and the Satie are in French. This collection is not for everyone; not everyone enjoys the style of cabaret music. But if you're looking for something completely different, this is a good bet.