I Wish It So: Bernstein / Blitzstein / Sondheim / Weill ~ Upshaw

Dawn Upshaw (Artist), Marc Blitzstein (Composer), Stephen Sondheim (Composer), Kurt Weill (Composer), Leonard Bernstein (Composer, Conductor), Eric Stern (Conductor), Leslie Stifelman (Performer), Matthias Naegele (Performer), Michael Starobin (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Leslie Stifelman, Matthias Naegele, Michael Starobin
• Conductor: Leonard Bernstein, Eric Stern
• Composer: Marc Blitzstein, Stephen Sondheim, Kurt Weill, Leonard Bernstein
• Audio CD (August 2, 1994)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Nonesuch
• ASIN: B000005J2V
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #13,741 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful! Wonderful!, August 4, 2003

By 

I. Sondel "I. Sondel - lover of the arts" (Tallahassee, FL United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: I Wish It So: Bernstein / Blitzstein / Sondheim / Weill ~ Upshaw (Audio CD)

This is one of my all-time favorite albums. There isn't one false note on the entire disc. It's difficult to single out one song over another. "Glitter and Be Gay" is an obvious highlight. Her reading of Sondheim's "There Won't Be Trumpets" is the best I've ever heard. "What More Do I Need?" - a Sondheim gem from "Saturday Night" - is a delight. Two classic tunes from "Lady in the Dark" - "The Saga of Jenny" and "My Ship" are flawless. I could go on and on, but I'll spare you. What are you waiting for? Stop reading this and click the add-to-cart button. Do it now!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An elegant, well-chosen collection, November 1, 2002

By 

Bruce Hodges (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: I Wish It So: Bernstein / Blitzstein / Sondheim / Weill ~ Upshaw (Audio CD)

What a beautiful disc! Few classical singers sound as natural in this repertoire as Dawn Upshaw. From the very first track, Blitzstein's wistful "I Wish It So," it's hard not to be hooked by Upshaw's seemingly effortless ability with the material -- and some of these songs are deceptively difficult.

But throughout, she sounds delicious, combining gorgeous tone and clean phrasing that make every track spring to life. Nowhere does she show strain or even the slightest difficulties; even Bernstein's "Glitter and Be Gay," a riot of Rossini-esque vocal pyrotechnics, doesn't faze her.

The Sondheim songs are memorable, especially "Like it Was" from Merrily We Roll Along, and "The Girls of Summer," the title song of the short-lived show from 1956. "Take Me to the World," the gorgeous anthem from Evening Primrose, is attractively combined with Blitzstein's "Never Get Lost." And throughout the recording, the arrangements by conductor Eric Stern have just the right feel -- a consummate gracefulness without being syrupy or overbearing -- and the orchestra responds with an equally light touch.

This is an unusual group of songs, and Upshaw's confidence and delivery are totally winning. Rarely, it seems, do classical singers succeed in these types of projects, but here is a fresh example of one that really works.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What More Do I Need? This is a beautiful collection!, November 21, 2002

By 

"karen17" (New York, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: I Wish It So: Bernstein / Blitzstein / Sondheim / Weill ~ Upshaw (Audio CD)

Dawn Upshaw's voice sounds so natural in everything she does. I have listened to this CD so many times that it is practically worn out. From the title track, which is just about the prettiest version of any song I have ever heard, to her masterful rendition of Glitter and Be Gay, Upshaw proves her impeccable talent and range. This is truly one of my favorite all-time recordings by any artist.