Liner Notes
Cat. No. NWCRL343
Release Date: 2010-12-15
Jan de Gaetani, mezzo-soprano; Philip West; oboe; Samuel Lipman, piano; Barry Jekofsky, percussion; Phyllis Bryn-Julson, soprano; Constantine Cassolas, tenor; Felix Galimir, violin; Michael Tolomeo, viola; Fortunato Arico, cello; Paul Dunkel, flute; Jack Shapiro, violin; Alexander Heller, bassoon; Fritz Jahoda, conductor; Charles Bressler, tenor; Melvin Kaplan, oboe; Eugene Drucker, violin; Ynez Lynch, viola
Miriam Gideon writes:
“Questions On Nature is a setting of the questions propounded by the English philosopher Adelard of Bath in the early 12th century. In Adelard's words: 'When I returned to England not long ago . . . a certain nephew of mine ... being more involved in the causes of things than able to explain them, asked me to relate something new from my Arab studies. In order to present things succinctly I set down the chapter headings first. Then I shall reply to my nephew on the causes of things.'
“It is some of these chapter headings which I have set for voice, oboe, piano, glockenspiel, and tam-tam. The instrumental sonorities as well as the character of the vocal line are intended to convey the mystery and the childlike directness of the topics contemplated.
“The Condemned Playground is the title of a series of essays by the late British critic Cyril Connolly. He wrote: 'The Condemned Playground refers in a sense to Art itself: for Art is man's noblest attempt to preserve imagination from time . . . and yet even the masterpieces whose permanence grants them a mystical authority over us are doomed to decay.'
The three songs in Hugo Weisgall's End of Summer are connected by two instrumental interludes. The first, a languid and nostalgic oboe solo, recalls certain passages from Wagner and Mahler as well as an important motive from Weisgall's own Nine Rivers from Jordan. The second interlude, a breathless scherzo for the entire ensemble, is special in the composer's output for its brilliant instrumental coloring. The cycle is unified not only by its autumnal moods, but also by musical materials which are used in all five sections.
This title, originally issued on the CRI label, is now available as a burn-on-demand CD (CD-R) or download in MP3/320, FLAC or WAV formats. CD-Rs come in a protective sleeve; no print booklet or jewel case included. Full liner notes are accessible via the link above.
Miriam Gideon writes:
“Questions On Nature is a setting of the questions propounded by the English philosopher Adelard of Bath in the early 12th century. In Adelard's words: 'When I returned to England not long ago . . . a certain nephew of mine ... being more involved in the causes of things than able to explain them, asked me to relate something new from my Arab studies. In order to present things succinctly I set down the chapter headings first. Then I shall reply to my nephew on the causes of things.'
“It is some of these chapter headings which I have set for voice, oboe, piano, glockenspiel, and tam-tam. The instrumental sonorities as well as the character of the vocal line are intended to convey the mystery and the childlike directness of the topics contemplated.
“The Condemned Playground is the title of a series of essays by the late British critic Cyril Connolly. He wrote: 'The Condemned Playground refers in a sense to Art itself: for Art is man's noblest attempt to preserve imagination from time . . . and yet even the masterpieces whose permanence grants them a mystical authority over us are doomed to decay.'
The three songs in Hugo Weisgall's End of Summer are connected by two instrumental interludes. The first, a languid and nostalgic oboe solo, recalls certain passages from Wagner and Mahler as well as an important motive from Weisgall's own Nine Rivers from Jordan. The second interlude, a breathless scherzo for the entire ensemble, is special in the composer's output for its brilliant instrumental coloring. The cycle is unified not only by its autumnal moods, but also by musical materials which are used in all five sections.
This title, originally issued on the CRI label, is now available as a burn-on-demand CD (CD-R) or download in MP3/320, FLAC or WAV formats. CD-Rs come in a protective sleeve; no print booklet or jewel case included. Full liner notes are accessible via the link above.
Miriam Gideon & Hugo Weisgall: Song Cycles
| MP3/320 | $9.99 | |
| FLAC | $9.99 | |
| WAV | $9.99 | |
| CD-R | $12.99 |
A *.pdf of the notes may be accessed here free of charge.
Track Listing
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Questions on Nature: I. Moderato
Miriam Gideon
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Questions on Nature: II. Allegretto mecanico
Miriam Gideon
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Questions on Nature: III. Moderato
Miriam Gideon
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Questions on Nature: IV. Allegretto Scherzando
Miriam Gideon
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Questions on Nature: V. Moderato
Miriam Gideon
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Questions on Nature: VI. Andante
Miriam Gideon
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Questions on Nature: VII. Con movimento
Miriam Gideon
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The Condemned Playground: I. Pyrrha
Miriam Gideon
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The Condemned Playground: II. Hiroshima
Miriam Gideon
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The Condemned Playground: III. The Litanies of Satan
Miriam Gideon
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End of Summer: I. After Lunch
Hugo Weisgall
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End of Summer: II. Quasi Fantasia
Hugo Weisgall
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End of Summer: III. Hearing Someone Sing a Poem by YÌ_an Ch€Òn
Hugo Weisgall
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End of Summer: IV. Scherzo
Hugo Weisgall
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End of Summer: V. De Senectute
Hugo Weisgall
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