Soprano And Baritone Duets By Historical Women Composers
Navona, 2022
8/10
Listen to Soprano And Baritone Duets By Historical Women Composers
A listen of vocal duets by female composers- some of which were previously unpublished- this diverse listen spans Baroque, Classical and Romantic periods and features Dana Zenobi (soprano), Oliver Worthington (baritone), Chuck Dillard (piano/harpsichord) and David Murray (double bass).
Rebecca Clarke’s “Sleep” opens the listen with both voices delivering expressive and poetic singing alongside the graceful keys, and it isn’t long until “Les langueurs” arrives with a more firm approach of harmonizing amid the flowing piano in the Sophie Gail piece.
Deeper still, Augusta Mary Rachel Dobson’s “The Purple Moor” flows with both melody and maturity thanks to the intimate keys, while “A Canadian Boat-Song”, the album’s best, showcases the unparalleled vocal prowess of the pair in a mesmerizing landscape that was penned by Amy Beach.
Right near the end, the playful, upbeat piano of “Il ritrovo” allows both vocalists to hit some very impressive notes, and Alice Mary Smith’s “O That We Two Were Maying” finishes the listen with an uplifting and timeless performance from the trio.
A collection of tunes that very successfully spotlights female composers who were overlooked in the male dominated classical music duet formula, each of the 20 compositions present shines in its own unique light.
Travels well with: Soul Sanctuary- Spirituals & Hymns; John Mitchell’s Quartet- Seasons