Susan Graham - Songs of Ned Rorem

Susan Graham (Artist), Ned Rorem (Composer), Malcolm Martineau (Performer), Ensemble Oriol (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Malcolm Martineau, Ensemble Oriol
• Composer: Ned Rorem
• Audio CD (April 4, 2000)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Erato
• ASIN: B00004R9BK
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #171,985 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. The Santa Fe Songs, song cycle of 12 poems of Witter Bynner for medium voice, violin, viola, cello & piano: Santa Fe Songs: No. 4, S

2. Clouds, for voice & piano (from 'Poems of Paul Goodman')

3. Early in the Morning, for voice & piano

4. The Serpent, for voice & piano (from 'Three Poems of Theodore Roethke')

5. Now sleeps the crimson petal, for voice & piano (from 'Poems of Tennyson')

6. The Santa Fe Songs, song cycle of 12 poems of Witter Bynner for medium voice, violin, viola, cello & piano: Santa Fe Songs: No. 2, O

7. I Strolled Across an Open Field, for voice & piano

8. To a Young Girl, for voice & piano

9. Jeannie with the Light Brown Hair, for voice & piano

10. Poèms pour la paix, for medium voice & strings: Ode

11. For Poulenc, for voice & piano

12. Little Elegy, for voice & piano

13. Alleluia, song for voice & piano

14. Look Down Fair Moon, for voice & piano

15. O you whom I often and silently come, for voice & piano (from 'Poems of Walt Whitman')

16. I will always love you, for voice, string trio & piano

17. The Tulip Tree, for voice & piano

18. The Santa Fe Songs, song cycle of 12 poems of Witter Bynner for medium voice, violin, viola, cello & piano: Santa Fe Songs: No. 8, T

19. The Lordly Hudson, for voice & piano (from 'Poems of Paul Goodman')

20. O Do Not Love Too Long, for voice & piano

See all 31 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Contemporary composer Ned Rorem is typically 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 a prolific career). And Rorem's masterful 1998 cycle Evidence of Things Not Seen would seem to justify that reputation, as does this marvelous 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 characterize 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, orchidlike, into a dazzling profusion of colors. 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

Miami Herald, Lawrence Johnson, July 1st, 2007

This disc gives us affecting performances of a broad survey of Rorem's lucid and refined songs.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Must Have American Songs, December 6, 2000

By 

"ronpearl" (Stanford, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Susan Graham - Songs of Ned Rorem (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:

5.0 out of 5 stars The real art of song, April 15, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Susan Graham - Songs of Ned Rorem (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:

5.0 out of 5 stars Worthy indeed - a gem, August 27, 2002

By 

"pikamate" (Stow, OH) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Susan Graham - Songs of Ned Rorem (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.