American Choral Music (Ives, Copland, Foss, Persichetti, Corigliano)

American Choral Music

Susanne Mentzer, mezzo-soprano

The University of Texas Chamber Singers

James Morrow

11 tracks, 72 minutes

Vincent Persichetti (1915-1987)

Flower Songs

Charles Ives (1874-1954)

Psalm 90

John Corigliano (b. 1938)

A Dylan Thomas Trilogy, Part I: Fern Hill

Lukas Foss (1922-2009)

Behold I Build An House

Aaron Copland (1900-1990)

In the beginning

I apologise for being AWOL from this site for such a long time. I started out with the full intention of updating regularly, but of course, school work decided otherwise. Well, now, I'm practically done with school, so you can expect a flurry of postings during the summer, including a couple of nifty box sets I've bought recently.

This is a wonderful collection of american choral music. Of special interest are Persichetti's absolutely gorgeous Flower Songs, and Ives' amazing setting of Psalm 90, which in my opinion should be as sung in Anglican churches as any Howells or Parry setting. Corigliano contributes a spirited and very beautiful Dylan Thomas setting, and both the Foss and the Copland pieces show why they're both regarded as two of the most important 20th Century american composers. Beautiful interpretations of some beautiful and sadly under-heard music.

Enjoy