Search - Claude Debussy, James Levine, Dawn Upshaw :: Forgotten Songs: Dawn Upshaw Sings Debussy

Not quite perfection, but not be be forgotten, either

Joanna Daneman | Middletown, DE USA | 02/03/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I had the fun of playing the accompaniment once to some of the songs in this cycle with a friend-soprano. That gave me a real appreciation for what musical intricacies are in this song cycle. Debussy was a master composer who didn't let the piano languish doing upty-oomps while the singer roars all over the staves. Instead, Debussy weaves the singer and piano in a sort of pas-de-deux, letting each musician shine and add color the music while creating a true duo, challenging each musician to play to his or her utmost ability.Sadly, Dawn Upshaw, who has a great voice, seems to be trying to temper her power and warm tone to accommodate the delicacy of Debussy's miniatures. It seems to be a mismatch which frankly surprised me. I thought if anyone had the flexibility and drama to do the "Forgotten Songs" it would have been Upshaw. But for whatever reason, the recording is slightly unfulfilling. A few songs ("Mandoline", "Balcon") are completely satisfying, but on the whole, this is not a one-hundred percent triumph. Perhaps Upshaw is more suited to a long, endurance work of increasingly soaring tones such as her recording of Gorecki's Third Symphony, where she is unsurpassed. I have not heard her do Strauss, but I'll bet she does it well, as I think her voice is more suited to that composer than here with Debussy.I had no real problems with Levine's piano work, but sometimes it seems bit flat in dynamics. Levine is, however, well suited here to adapt his playing to fit a singer, since his "day job" is conducting opera. Still, not that many singers have chosen to record these pretty litte songs, so I do play this CD often and with enjoyment."

The debussy songbook

Homiski | 09/19/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Thank you Dawn Upshaw for programming on one CD the 'big' collections of the Debussy vocal repertory. The only other recording which has most of these vocal collections is Barbara Hendrick's 'Melodies' CD which has the Ariettes oubilees and the Baudelaire Poems, but it lacks the Vasnier Songbook. Upshaw's disc is a rare find with its wider-encompassing collection. She is accompanied by the very capable, James Levine, NY MET Conductor. Levine's touch and balance in voicing chords gives the right 'color' to accompany the fluid lines of Debussy's text setting. Upshaw is able to connect long lines with that 'milky' texture her voice is known for, giving an impassioned performance for the listener."

Returning to the Recital Hall: A Soiree

Grady Harp | Los Angeles, CA United States | 04/08/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Dawn Upshaw is one of the most intelligent and creative and adventuresome singers on the concert stage today. Just reviewing the list of her recordings available and it is obvious that she has paid attention to both contemporary and established composers in a way that is truly refreshing.



Here the program is devoted to the works of Claude Debussy, a composer for whom Upshaw has a particular penchant. Her voice is crystal clear, perfectly focused and yet not afraid to animate when the lyrics demand. She covers three cycles here: 'Ariettes oubliees' (for this listener the most successful on the album), 'Racueil Vasnier', and 'Cinq Poemes de Charles Baudelaire' (contrast these with the recently released Susan Graham version and see what interpretation is all about!).



The collaboration between Upshaw and James Levine is sensitive (if not always the pianism of others..). But the entire recital is uplifting and satisfying for the variation in the songs, recorded sound, the generosity of the disc, and most of all for the musical intelligence in which these songs are performed! Grady Harp, April 05"