Albany Records: Love, The Fair Day

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Vintage American songs from the New England School.

All of the composers on this recording are associated with the Second New England School of composition centered around Boston in the last few decades of the 19th century and the first few decades of the 20th. Each joined the emerging trend at that time to present classical-style music, steeped in European technique and training that nevertheless demonstrated an American spirit in terms of text and use of folk or local flavor. Edward MacDowell, the first of this wave of composers, inspired the rest and his contemporary George Chadwick co-led the Second New England movement and taught several of the other composers heard here. The performers include baritone Tod Fitzpatrick, who leads an active and distinguished career as a singer, teacher, and researcher; mezzo Kimberly James, who has performed with the Opera Theater of St. Louis and Santa Fe Opera, among many other credits; soprano Rebecca Sherburn, who is on the faculty at Chapman University and known for her championing of contemporary composers; and pianist Louise Thomas, who is an associate dean at Chapman University.

Arthur Foote, composer
Come Live With Me and Be My Love
Rebecca Sherburn, soprano; Kimberly James, mezzo-soprano; Louise Thomas, piano

Arthur Foote, composer
I'm wearin awa' to the land o' the leal, Opus 13, No. 2
Tod Fitzpatrick, baritone; Wei-Wei Le, violin; Louise Thomas, piano

Arthur Foote, composer
Sing, Maiden Sing
Rebecca Sherburn, soprano; Kimberly James, mezzo-soprano; Louise Thomas, piano

Arthur Foote, composer
A Song from the Persian
Kimberly James, mezzo-soprano; Tod Fitzpatrick, baritone; Louise Thomas, piano

Arthur Foote, composer
The Skylark
Kimberly James, mezzo-soprano; Tod Fitzpatrick, baritone; Louise Thomas, piano

Edward MacDowell, composer
Three Songs Opus 60
Kimberly James, mezzo-soprano; Louise Thomas, piano

Mabel W. Daniels, composer
Love, the Fair Day, Opus 5, No. 1
Rebecca Sherburn, soprano; Kimberly James, mezzo-soprano; Louise Thomas, piano

Review:

"The Boston-based "Second New England School" flourished in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries…Their style preserved European technique and training while incorporating an American spirit through text and use of folk or local flavor. This program presents 21 pieces by these 6 composers…The performances do them justice. Tod Fitzpatrick is especially fine, with pellucid diction and warm tone. The two women are well-attunded to what they sing…Louise Thomas offers steady and attentive collaboration for the entire program. If you're not familiar with songs of these composers this is a good opportunity to hear them. Notes and texts." (American Record Guide)

Vintage American songs from the New England School.

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