CHRISTINE BREWER: ECHOES OF NIGHTINGALES Hyperion

1
Sing to me, sing Op 48[1’49]Sidney Homer (1864-1953)
2
Night Wherefore should darkness terrify my soul?[3’14]Edwin McArthur (1907-1987)
3
Now like a lantern Op 44 No 5[2’24]Arthur Walter Kramer (1890-1969)
4
Sea Moods Thou slumbering sea below me[2’51]Mildred Lund Tyson (1900-?)
5
O lovely night![3’22]Sir Landon Ronald (1873-1938)
6
At Parting The sweetest flow’r that blows[1’48]James H Rogers (1857-1940)
7
The sleep that flits on baby’s eyes[2’26]John Alden Carpenter (1876-1951)
8
Hickory Hill The moon is aloft[2’34]Paul Sargent (1910-1987)
9
Through the years[3’56]Vincent Youmans (1898-1946)
10
There shall be more joy The little angels of Heaven[2’12]Paul Nordoff (1909-1977)
11
Hills I want my hills![2’31]Frank La Forge (1879-1953)
12
Love went a-riding[1’54]Frank Bridge (1879-1941)
13
In my garden A garden sweet, a garden small[3’43]Idabelle Firestone (1874-1954)
14
Will you remember? ‘Sweetheart’ Ah, Love is so sweet in the springtime (Song of Maytime)[4’21]Sigmund Romberg (1887-1951)
15
If I could tell you[3’19]Idabelle Firestone (1874-1954)
16
The last rose of summer ‘Tis the last rose of summer (Song of Martha)[2’48]Anonymous – traditional & Thomas Moore (1779-1852), arr. Friedrich von Flotow (1812-1883)
17
The song of songs ‘Chanson du cœur brisé’ Do you recall that night in June when first we met?[4’47]Harold Vicars (?-?)
18
Stopping by woods on a snowy evening Whose woods these are I think I know[1’50]John La Montaine (1920-2013)
19
Happiness is a thing called Joe Skies ain’t gonna cloud no mo’ (Song of Cabin in the sky)[4’00]Harold Arlen (1905-1986)
20
Some other time Where has the time all gone to? (Song of On the town)[2’34]Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990)
21
When I have sung my songs[2’17]Ernest Charles (1895-1984)
22
Review Last night in Carnegie Hall Miss Sadabelle Smith[5’10]Celius Dougherty (1902-1986)

This delightful disc, performed by one of the most admired sopranos of today, accompanied by her long-time collaborator, pays homage to an important musical tradition and part of performance history, and to four great sopranos from the past.

The repertoire includes the encore-songs, mainly by American composers, performed by Kirsten Flagstad, Eileen Farrell, Helen Traubel and Eleanor Steber at the end of their recitals. As Christine Brewer writes in an intimate performance note: ‘These little gems evoke an era of recitals not often encountered these days. Stepping back into that era has been a joy to Roger and me, and I hope it will bring back memories to those who might have heard these women sing these songs, or perhaps ignite a new love affair for younger listeners!’