Search - Patrick Mason; Joanne Polk :: Songs of Amy Beach; Patrick Mason, baritone; Joanne Polk, piano

Patrick Mason; Joanne Polk
Songs of Amy Beach; Patrick Mason, baritone; Joanne Polk, piano
Genres: Pop, Classical

Track Listings (22) - Disc #1
1. Twilight, Op. 2, No. 1
2. Empress of Night, Op. 2, No. 3
3. The Summer Wind, Op. 14, No. 1
4. Sweetheart, Sigh No More, Op. 14, No. 3
5. Golden Gates, Op. 19, No. 3
6. Villanelle, Op. 20
7. Wouldn't That Be Queer, Op. 26, No. 4
8. Within My Heart, Op. 29, No. 1
9. Anita, Op. 41, No. 1
10. The Year's at the Spring, Op. 44, No. 1
11. Ah, Love, but a day! Op. 44, No. 2
12. Come, ah come! Op. 48, No. 1
13. Good Morning, Op. 48, No. 2
14. Go Not Too Far, Op. 56, No. 2
15. Shena Van, Op. 56, No. 4
16. Baby, Op. 69, No. 1
17. O Sweet Content, Op. 71, No. 2
18. Wind o'the Westland, Op. 77, No. 2
19. In the Twilight, Op. 85
20. Mine Be The Lips, Op. 113
21. Dark Garden, Op. 131
22. I Shall Be Brave, Op. 143

CD Details

All Artists: Patrick Mason; Joanne Polk
Title: Songs of Amy Beach; Patrick Mason, baritone; Joanne Polk, piano
Members Wishing: 1
Total Copies: 0
Label: Bridge Records, Inc.
Original Release Date: 11/1/2004
Release Date: 11/1/2004
Genres: Pop, Classical
Styles: Vocal Pop, Chamber Music, Historical Periods, Classical (c.1770-1830)
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 090404918223

Synopsis

Product Description

Amy Beach (1873-1942) was probably the first woman composer to gain attention for writing successfully in the large forms of the nineteenth century: symphony, concerto, oratorio and chamber music. But it is in her songs and solo piano music that we glimpse a more private and intimate Beach. Beach produced more than 120 songs, only a few of which are known to the general public. This superb CD presents 22 of Beach s finest songs, a selection which ranges from some of her earliest published efforts through her later brooding masterpieces. American baritone Patrick Mason is accompanied on this recording by leading Beach specialist, pianist Joanne Polk. Together, Mason and Polk s penetrating interpretations make an excellent case for these songs as major English language song literature. These Patrick Mason recordings are also available on Bridge: Schubert: Die Winterreise; with Phyllis East, piano; BRIDGE 9053 Songs of Ravel, Faur , Poulenc and Dutilleux; with Robert Spillman, piano; BRIDGE 9058 Stephen Sondheim: Sunday Song Set; with David Starobin, guitar; on BRIDGE 9009 Tod Machover: VALIS, an opera on the novel by Philip K. Dick; BRIDGE 9007 Elliott Carter: Three Poems of Robert Frost; with Speculum Musicae; on BRIDGE 9014

CD Reviews

"SONGS OF AMY BEACH" IS TIMELESS

KCA | Dallas, TX | 12/29/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What a delight! I received this disc as a gift and enjoyed it more than any set of songs since the first time I heard Schubert's "Die Schoene Mullerin".

Amy Beach's charming songs for baritone and piano, written at the turn of the century, escape any hint of sentimentality and travel straight to the heart, sometimes with complexity, but often with timeless simplicity.

"Sweetheart, Sigh No More" is the most enchanting love song I have heard in years. You will long to be desperately in love again. Patrick Mason woos his lover with a luscious baritone that reminds me of Dietrich Fischer-Diescau's and a wonderful intimacy made up of tenderness,humor,and masculinity.

The interpretations of Mr. Mason and Joanne Polk are passionate, thoughtful and vital. Some are whimsical, such as "Wouldn't That Be Queer" and some are just plain wise and fresh, as in "Baby".

Hats off to Mr. Mason, Ms. Polk and Bridge Records for a real beauty!

Give a copy of this disc to everyone you love.

"