Samuel Barber: The Complete Songs - RES10301

Samuel Barber: The Complete Songs (2 CDs)

£16.99
Total playing time [158:40]

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Fleur Barron (mezzo-soprano)
Mary Bevan (soprano)
Samantha Clarke (soprano)
Jess Dandy (contralto)
Louise Kemény (soprano)
Soraya Mafi (soprano)
Julien Van Mellaerts (baritone)
Dominic Sedgewick (bass)
Nicky Spence (tenor)
William Thomas (bass)
Navarra String Quartet
Dylan Perez (piano) 

Featuring a stellar cast of performers, and curated by pianist Dylan Perez, this complete anthology of Samuel Barber’s songs present those works published during his lifetime, together with those published posthumously, some of which are recorded here for the first time. Barber was clear as to what he wanted from very early in his life, and this strength of character and courage to follow his path is heard throughout Barber’s significant contribution to the genre.

At a time when American classical music was heavily influenced by experimentalism, Barber’s inclination for ‘traditional’ harmony and melody helped set him apart. Barber’s vocal music demonstrates the ease he finds in the marriage of text and music. The Navarra String Quartet join the line-up for Dover Beach, Op. 3.

Album Booklet (PDF)

About the Artists: Dylan Perez; Fleur Barron; Mary Bevan; Soraya Mafi; Navarra String Quartet; Nicky Spence; William Thomas

Tracklist

DISC ONE

Three Songs, Op. 2 (WT)
1. The Daisies
2. With rue my heart is laden
3. Bessie Bobtail

Three Songs, Op. 10 (NS)
4. Rain has fallen
5. Sleep now
6. I hear an army

Four songs, Op. 13 (SC)
7. A Nun Takes the Veil
8. The Secrets of the Old
9. Sure on this shining night
10. Nocturne

Two Songs, Op. 18 (FB)
11. The queen’s face on the summery
coin
12. Monks and Raisins

13. Nuvoletta, Op. 25 (SM)

Mélodies passagères, Op. 27 (LK)
14. Puisque tout passe
15. Un cygne
16. Tombeau dans un parc
17. Le clocher chante
18. Départ

Hermit Songs, Op. 29 (MB)
19. At Saint Patrick’s Purgatory
20. Church Bell at Night
21. St. Ita’s Vision
22. The Heavenly Banquet
23. The Crucifixion
24. Sea-Snatch
25. Promiscuity
26. The Monk and his Cat
27. The Praises of God
28. The Desire for Hermitage

Despite and Still, Op. 41 (DS)
29. A Last Song
30. My Lizard
31. In the Wilderness
32. Solitary Hotel
33. Despite and Still

Three Songs, Op. 45 (JD)
34. Now have I fed and eaten up the rose
35. A Green Lowland of Pianos
36. O boundless, boundless evening

“

'One of the recording’s pleasures is the way the songs come to life through 10 different characters, but with Perez as a constant, eloquent presence.' A 'characterful overview of a great songwriter.'

- The Guardian

Classical Album of the Week
The Sunday Times

'One of the recording’s pleasures is the way the songs come to life through 10 different characters, but with Perez as a constant, eloquent presence.' A 'characterful overview of a great songwriter.'
Album of the Week
The Guardian

'Three cheers for this enterprising anthology from Resonus Classics [...] a hugely enjoyable issue [...] and outstandingly truthful sound and balance'
Gramophone

Credits
© 2022 Resonus Limited
Ⓟ 2022 Resonus Limited
Catalogue No. RES10301
Producer, engineer & editor: Adam Binks
EAN: 5060262793312
Cover image: Evening Splendor by George Luks
Release date: 6 May 2022