This record contains the first fruits of a plan that had its inception in the mind of David Randolph as long ago as 1944. It was in that year that he organized The Randolph Singers, a group of five musicians devoted to the performance of Madrigals. Throughout the intervening years, during which they brought to the attention of the public — through their numerous concert tours and recordings — literally hundreds of early English, French and Italian Madrigals, it was their hope to create a rebirth of interest in this intimate form of music, but in the idiom of our own day. How well that hope has been realized is indicated by the fact that up to January, 1956, no fewer than twenty-seven modern Madrigals were composed especially for The Randolph Singers, of which thirteen are presented on this disc.
Once past the Dobey Gillis-like cover and cold-war silliness of its title track, "Lament for April 15" is an interesting document for its attempt to present modern (mid-20th century) American madrigals. The Randolph Singers take the nonsense of Avery Claflin's setting of and Edward Lear text, "The Quangle Wangle's Hat," every bit as seriously as they do Daniel Pinkham's philosophical-leaning "Folk Song: Elegy." Throughout, the "deadpan" interpretation of works by Claflin, Pinkham, the under-recorded Halsey Stevens and Judith Dvorkin, and others works to the advantage of all the pieces, heightening their moods, whatever they may be.
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. Liner notes are accessible via the link above.
Lament for April 15
| MP3/320 | $7.99 | |
| FLAC | $7.99 | |
| WAV | $7.99 | |
| CD-R | $7.99 |
A *.pdf of the notes may be accessed here free of charge.
Track Listing
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Lament for April 15
Avery Claflin
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True Beauty
Charles Mills
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Buy
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The Quangle Wangle's Hat
Avery Claflin
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Buy
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Like as the Culver on the Bared Bough
Halsey Stevens
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Buy
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Madrigal
Daniel Pinkham
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Buy
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How Stands the Glass Around?
Ulysses Kay
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Buy
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Remember
Kurt List
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Buy
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Maurice
Judith Dvorkin
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Buy
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Folk Song: Elegy
Daniel Pinkham
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Buy
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The Interminable Farewell
Edward Tatnall Canby
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Buy
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Design for the Atomic Age
Avery Claflin
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Buy
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What's in a Name?
Ulysses Kay
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Buy
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Hymn to the Virgin
Carter Harman
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Buy
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