The Shakespeare Concerts Series 7: Summer’s Distillation
Navona, 2020
8/10
Listen to Summer’s Distillation
The esteemed composer Joseph Summer pays homage here to William Shakespeare, where settings by Robert Schumann, Johannes Brahms and Benjamin Pesetsky are present with several accomplished vocalists alongside harps and horns.
“Sonnets V and VI” starts the listen with strong vocal harmonizing as harp and horn accent the raw setting, and “Sonnet CIV” follows with mezzo soprano from Sophie Michaux as Franziska Huhn’s elegant harp flows expressively in the art influenced atmosphere.
Near the middle, “If By Your Art” pairs Huhn’s harp well with Jessica Lennick’s powerful soprano on the playful tune, while “Oh God, That I Were A Man” makes great use out of Keith Owen’s horn prowess as Thea Lobo’s vocal acrobatics impress us in the emotive delivery.
Near the end, “Vier Gesange , op. 17” unfolds with 4 movements where operatic vocals are the focus amid twinkling harp, and “Answer and Question” ends with multiple vocals complementing each other well in the sublime exit.
Certainly a must hear record for Shakespeare fans, those with an ear for exceptional vocal work and harp sounds will find much to be enthralled with, too, on Summer’s Distillation.
Travels well with: Mira J. Spektor- Daytime & Night Songs; Katherine Jolly- Preach Sister Preach