Phyllis Bryn-Julson, soprano; Speculum Musicae String Quartet: Eugene Drucker, violin; Daniel Reed, violin; John Graham, viola; Fred Sherry, cello; Hilda Harris, soprano; Zita Carno, piano; Jan DeGaetani, mezzo-soprano; Raymond Des Roches, vibraphone; Harvey Sollberger, flute
About his music, Phillip Rhodes writes:
“Autumn Setting is divided into three movements as dictated by the grouping of the texts. Comment may be useful in regard to the first and third movements. The first is a rather loose stringing together of selected 'fragments' from several poems. The third movement is based on one principal poem with insertions (again, 'fragments') from the two previous movements, which are motivically treated in the sense of recall. These elements — both textual and musical — are constantly placed in sharp juxtaposition, creating a confusion between 'summer' (the hazily remembered) and the reality of the present. (the idea is somewhat akin to the film technique of the 'flashback.')
"Technically speaking, this work falls into the general category of 'free atonality', more specifically, it is motivically derived — in melodic, harmonic and rhythmic content. The texts used are drawn from the works of Patricia V. Schneider and are used with the kind permission of the author.
Hale Smith (b. Cleveland, 1925) is one of the few composers in CRI's catalogue with a wide "practical" (as distinct from academic) background. He majored in composition with Marcel Dick at the Cleveland Institute, receiving his masters degree in 1952. He moved to New York in 1958 and worked with several jazz performers (including Chico Hamilton, Oliver Nelson, Quincy Jones, Eric Dolphy and Ahmad Jamal). He has also composed documentary film scores and has served as editor and consultant for major music publishing houses. He is a fairly prolific composer whose music for band has appealed to a wide audience. The songs on this commission disk display Mr. Smith's more lyrical and introspective new side.
John Richard Ronsheim was born in Cadiz, Ohio, in 1927. Among his teachers were Francis Judd Cooke at the New England Conservatory and Luigi Dallapiccola in Florence.
The poetry used in the following works is taken from George Herbert's set of poems contained in The Temple (1633). The two works are not related musically except for the instrumentation.
About her music Ursula Mamlok has written:
Stray Birds, a setting of five aphorisms by Tagore, is a chamber work for soprano, flute and cello rather than a song cycle in the traditional sense. Here the instruments are not supplying mere accompaniment for the vocal line, but participate, often with great virtuosity, in expressing the character of the poetry as it suggested itself to me. Structurally the work is based on a 12-tone set. It is the textural structure above all, which gives a certain and distinct character to each song. These settings proceed from utmost density and rhythmic complexity to greatest spaciousness."
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.
Vocal Music of Rhodes, Smith, Ronsheim & Mamlok
| 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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Autumn Setting: I. Autumn Fragments
Phillip Rhodes
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Autumn Setting: II. Prophecy
Phillip Rhodes
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Autumn Setting: III. Remembrance / Reality
Phillip Rhodes
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The Valley Wind: I. The Valley Wind
Hale Smith
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The Valley Wind: II. Spring
Hale Smith
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The Valley Wind: III. Envoy In Autumn
Hale Smith
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The Valley Wind: IV. Velvet Shoes
Hale Smith
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Bitter Sweet
John Ronsheim
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Easter - Wings
John Ronsheim
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Stray Birds: I. In a Sustained Mood
Ursula Mamlok
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Stray Birds: II. Majestic
Ursula Mamlok
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Stray Birds: III. Very Airy
Ursula Mamlok
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Stray Birds: IV. In a Melancholy Mood
Ursula Mamlok
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Stray Birds: V. Still, With Utmost Simplicity
Ursula Mamlok
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