The instrumental works of Darius Milhaud are more widely known than any of his vocal works, yet he wrote prolifically for the voice, adding nearly 300 songs to the genre. This CD offers six sets of songs composed by Milhaud during the first half of the 20th century. The songs are representative of Milhaud's artistic genius with regard to his skills of writing melody, counterpoint and his efficient use of harmonic language. His goal in composition was to be expressive and inventive and these pieces are representative of that as well, while remaining very accessible. The intent of the CD was to bring these songs to the attention of singers and pianists in order to encourage more performance of the vocal music of Darius Milhaud.
Martha J. Hart - Mezzo-soprano
Warmth, richness and clarity of tone coupled with sincere, expressive communication of text distinguish the artistry of Martha J. Hart. Known for her stylistic interpretation of music spanning the Baroque to contemporary, Ms. Hart has sung to critical acclaim throughout North America and France. Highly regarded for her performances of oratorio, art song and chamber music, Martha has sung with the symphony orchestras of Montreal, Atlanta, Lansing, Phoenix, Grand Rapids, and St. Louis, the Omaha Chamber Symphony, Florida Orchestra, and the Mormon Temple Square Chorale and Orchestra and worked with distinguished conductors Helmuth Rilling, Craig Jessop, Simon Preston and the late Robert Shaw. Ms. Hart is soloist on recordings of the Brahms Liebeslieder Waltzes with the Robert Shaw Festival Singers and Schubert Songs for Male Chorus with the Robert Shaw Chamber Singers, both on the Telarc label and The Celestial Country music of Charles Ives with the St. Olaf Choir for Linn Records.(available at www.stolaf.edu)
As a recitalist, Ms. Hart is known for her imaginative programs combining poetry reading and art song around a central theme. As one critic writes: "The program was charming, touching, and engaging, both in content and presentation." A versatile singer, Martha is part of the ensemble Three for the Road, a trio dedicated to the performance of American popular music from the 1930s and'40s.
In addition to her performance credits, Martha is a respected vocal pedagogue and is invited to present masterclasses at colleges and universities. Currently she serves as Artist-in-Residence and holds the Dwight and Ruth Vredenburg Chair in Music at Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa. During the summer she is Artist/Faculty at the Bay View Music Festival in northern Michigan.
J.J. Penna, pianist
One of the most gifted collaborative pianists of his generation, J.J. Penna has performed in recital with such notable singers as Kathleen Battle, Harolyn Blackwell, David Daniels, Kevin McMillan, Florence Quivar, and Roberta Peters. Concert tours have brought him to some of the most prestigious recital venues across the U.S., Europe, Asia, South America and the former Soviet Union. He has performed at festivals at Tanglewood, Chautauqua, Banff, Music Academy of the West, and San Francisco Opera Center's Merola Program, and has worked on over 20 operatic productions with various opera companies throughout the U.S.
Having earned his D.M.A. from the University of Michigan where he studied with Martin Katz, Dr. Penna possesses a tremendous passion for the teaching of art song literature. He currently holds positions in vocal coaching and accompanying at Yale University, and at Westminster Choir College of Rider University, in Princeton NJ where he presents an annual summer song recital series. Coupled with these two positions he also maintains a private coaching studio in New York City and during the summer coordinates the vocal program at the Bowdoin Festival and performs at the Ravinia Festival in Chicago.
Check out the artist's website:
http://www.classicalsinger.net/marthahartTrack List:
1. Chant de Nourrice
2. Chant de Sion
3. Chant de Laboureur
4. Chant de la Pitié
5. Chant de Résignation
6. Chant d'Amour
7. Chant de Forgeron
8. Lamentation
9. La Violette
10. Le Bégonia
11. Les Fritillaires
12. Les Jacinthes
13. Les Crocus
14. Le Brachycome
15. L'Eremurus
16. Mon Histoire
17. Abandonée
18. Sans Feu ni Lieu
19. Chansons de Troubadour I
20. Chansons de Troubadour II
21. Chansons de Troubadour III
22. Les quatre petits lions
23. Poupette et Patata
24. La pomme et l'escargot
25. Le Malpropre
26. Le jardinier impatient
27. Modestes Vacances
28. Les deux Hôtels
29. Le Boulanger
30. La Maison Inachevée
31. Monsieur le Curé
32. Les Trois Peupliers
33. Paresse
34. Les Conscrits
35. Le Château
36. L'Horizon
37. Le Pêcheur
38. Le Ruisseau
39. La Petite Bergère
40. Les Champignons
41. Le Retour
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