Saloons, Salons, & Salutations
Albany, 2024
9/10
Listen to Saloons, Salons, & Salutations
A listen that embodies the American West and the salons of Europe, the soprano vocalist Serena Hill LaRoche and pianist Catherine Garner come together for the work of 6 composers
“Songs from Letters: Calamity Jane to her daughter Janey, 1880-1902”, by Libby Larsen, starts the listen with LaRoche’s flowing pipes and Garner’s intimate piano making much eloquent beauty, and Lili Boulanger’s “Reflets” follows with the mesmerizing keys matching the dreamy demeanor of the expressive singing.
Into the middle, Corona Schröter’s melodic and bright “An den Abendstern” emits much grace, while “Three Browning Songs, Op. 44” showcases the impressive range of LaRoche amid the rich piano of the album’s best in the Amy Marcy Cheney Beach original.
Approaching the end, the heartfelt and powerful “Lieder, Op. 12”, by Clara Schumann, touches on a romantic spirit, and Liza Lehmann’s “There are Fairies at the Bottom of Our Garden” exits with an animated presence that’s vocally strong and benefits much from the meticulous piano playing.
A body of work that pays tribute to the creativity and ingenuity of women in the world of classical music, every piece here is executed with tremendous care and detail.
Travels well with: Narong Prangcharoen- Sound, Echo, And Silence; Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra- Harmony In Black