Descent/Return
Ryan MacEvoy McCullough, Lucy Fitz Gibbon
This recording of music by John Harbison and James Primosch contrasts their piano music with compositions for voice, with a major work for each by each of these esteemed composers. Harbison, a faculty member at MIT, has enjoyed a long and distinguished career. His more than 300 compositions have been performer around the world by premiere musical organizations and soloists. James Primosch serves on the faculty at the University of Pennsylvania, and his discography includes more than 25 recordings of his compositions. Noted for her "dazzling, virtuoso singing" Lucy Fitz Gibbon is a dynamic musician whose repertoire spans the Renaissance to the present. She has performed at prestigious venues in the United States, Canada, and England and is on the faculty at Bard College. Pianist Ryan MacEvoy McCullough has an impressive career as soloist, lieder and chamber music collaborator, and recording artist. His discography includes many world premiere recordings and has taught piano and courses in electronic composition at Cornell University.
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Track Listing
| Title | Composer | Performer |
|---|---|---|
| Simple Daylight | John Harbison | Lucy Fitz Gibbon (soprano); Ryan MacEvoy McCullough (piano) |
| Pure Contraption, Absolute Gift | James Primosch | Ryan MacEvoy McCullough (piano) |
| Descent/Return | James Primosch | Lucy Fitz Gibbon (soprano); Ryan MacEvoy McCullough (piano) |
| Piano Sonata No. 2 | John Harbison | Ryan MacEvoy McCullough (piano) |
| The Old Astronomer | James Primosch | Lucy Fitz Gibbon (soprano); Ryan MacEvoy McCullough (piano) |
| The Pitcher | James Primosch | Lucy Fitz Gibbon (soprano); Ryan MacEvoy McCullough (piano) |
| Who Do You Say That I Am? | James Primosch | Lucy Fitz Gibbon (soprano); Ryan MacEvoy McCullough (piano) |
Reviews
- “
"The present CD juxtaposes music by two composers, John Harbison, whose music is very well known and greatly admired by me (a measure of my enthusiasm may be judged by the 40 CDs and two LPs I have of it), and James Primosch, a composer whose music forms a valuable new discovery for me. In short, the discovery of the music of Primosch was a nice present to receive on my 70th birthday, the very day I wrote these words. I am very far removed from being a singer, but I shall nevertheless sing the praises of both Gibbon, whose pure voice and sensitive phrasing pleased me to no end, and MacEvoy, who complements her with his sublime piano artistry. This proved to be a most enjoyable recital, making it very easy to recommend it to any and all who happen to read this review. "
- “
"Here is a chance to sample more music by two American composers we should know better His (Primosch's) music strikes me as sometimes more dissonant than Harbison and somehow more tightly controlled and coherent. I liked the piano cycle There's marvelous variety in tempo and mood Once more McCullough's control over all these technical and musical contrasts is superb "
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