Voices From Lost Realms
Download from iTunes Quantity in Basket: None WILLIAM MAYER Voices From Lost Realms TROY068 - Price: $16.99
Go Back >

 

If you enjoy the art songs of Rorem and Britten, then this disc is a must try.

This recording contains some of William Mayer's finest music. "William Mayer's music sings out with real beauty, both in the vocal writing (he is especially known for his operas and songs) and the instrumental settings," wrote John Rockwell of the New York Times on the occasion of the composer's sixtieth birthday. And indeed this recording gives the listener a rich sampling of his vocal music; opera, songs and choral compositions. But, just as importantly, it contains two purely instrumental works - Abandoned Bells for piano and Inner and Outer Strings for string orchestra - which must count as two of the composer's most haunting scores. Mayer's career has contained such memorable events as Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt narrating his Hello World, a musical trip for orchestra and Leopold Stokowski premiering his Octagon for Piano and Orchestra.
Contents:
William Mayer, composer
Butterfly Aria from A Death in the Family
Judith Christin, mezzo, Gregory Mercer, tenor, New Calliope Singers, Peter Schubert, conductor


William Mayer, composer
How Far We All Come Away From Ourselves from A Death in the Family
Judith Christin, mezzo, James McKeel, baritone, New Calliope Singers, Peter Schubert, conductor


William Mayer, composer
Kyrie
Florilegium Chamber Choir, New Calliope Singers, Peter Schubert, conductor


William Mayer, composer
First Song
Gregory Mercer, tenor, Marshall Coid, violin, Richard Goldsmith, clarinet, Steven Mayer, piano


William Mayer, composer
Limited from Passage
Mary Feinsinger, mezzo, Paul Dunkel, flute, Stacey Shames, harp


William Mayer, composer
What Lips My Lips Have Kissed from Passage
Mary Feinsinger, mezzo, Paul Dunkel, flute, Stacey Shames, harp


William Mayer, composer
The Passionate Shepherd To His Love
New Calliope Singers, Peter Schubert, conductor


William Mayer, composer
The Nymph's Reply To The Passionate Shepherd
New Calliope Singers, Peter Schubert, conductor


William Mayer, composer
To Electra
New Calliope Singers, Peter Schubert, conductor


William Mayer, composer
Abandoned Bells
Steven Mayer, piano


William Mayer, composer
Fern Hill
Jane Bryden, soprano, Paul Dunkel, flute, Stacey Shames, harp


William Mayer, composer
La Belle Dame Sans Merci
James McKeel, baritone, New Calliope Singers, Peter Schubert, conductor


William Mayer, composer
Alleluias from One Christmas Long Ago
Florilegium Chamber Choir, New Calliope Singers, Peter Schubert, conductor


William Mayer, composer
Hist Wist from Enter Ariel
Elizabeth Poore, soprano, Charles Stier, clarinet, Philip Hosford, piano


William Mayer, composer
Flotsam from Enter Ariel
Elizabeth Poore, soprano, Charles Stier, clarinet, Philip Hosford, piano


William Mayer, composer
Inner and Outer Strings
Music Today String Orchestra, Gerard Schwarz, conductor
Florilegium Chamber Choir, New Calliope Singers, Peter Schubert, conductor

Review:
"William Mayer (b. 1925) has written in many forms, but his sympathetic vocal writing is especially notable. The LP era gave us a fair sample thereof, but the few compact discs have concentrated on instrumental music, so this release is most welcome. This is flavorful, nostalgic music, which is no less original for its tonality....All the performances are praiseworthy, as are the recordings. This is a lovely disc; just sit back in your rocking chair and enjoy it." (Fanfare)
You may also like:
More Info
iTunes WILLIAM MAYER A Death in the Family