Editorial Review

Beethoven’s last three piano sonatas have long been regarded as the Mt. Everest of the form, heights that can be scaled only by pianists who possess the keyboard technique to realize the depth of the composer’s vision. By those standards, if Uchida isn’t the equal of such giants as Arrau, Kempff, and Schnabel, she certainly comes close enough to make this an outstanding release. Her pianissimos are feathery-light; her fortes are as powerful as one might wish, and her trills are analogues of Beethoven’s spiritual ideas. She renders Beethoven’s full dynamic palette with nuances that make every shading register. Uchida never makes an ugly sound. Her tone remains warm, colorful, and full-bodied. More important, her interpretation encompasses the inward, contemplative slow sections as well as the energetic ones, and she plays Beethoven’s contrapuntal passages with a clarity that makes every musical strand count. She’s helped by outstanding engineering, too. Not all of the transcendental Beethoven is captured here, but Uchida comes a lot closer than most pianists can aspire to. That alone makes this disc a must-have. Read more

Reviews (5)

Classical buy of the year

wonderful recording
I heard Mistuko Uchida played op. 109 live. At the time I thought the tempo was a bit slow. She picked up the tempo nicely in this recording. Every phrase, down to every note in the CD was beautifully done. However, they are not overly "smooth and sweet" as her Mozart was often complained about. There are fire, sparks, and bite at all the right spots. For Mistuko fans---she wrote her own program note for this recording. It is quite worth reading (with her personal hand-writing and hand-drew musical samples too), especially if you are interested in music theory or musicology. I Highly recommend this CD.

Among the Best Recordings of Beethoven's Last Three Piano Sonatas
I wish Mitsuko Uchida hadn't waited so long to start recording Beethoven's piano sonatas, having already demonstrated her keen interest in and superlative playing of Mozart's and Schubert's major works for the piano. This is quite simply her best recording of Beethoven's piano scores I have yet heard, coupled with some elegant, often profound, musicological notes on these scores which she has written in the liner notes to this CD. I am especially impressed with her thoughtful, yet expressive, performances of both the Opus 109 and 111 piano sonatas; these rank alongside recordings I have heard from both Alfred Brendel and Maurizio Pollini as among the finest I've come across. The recordings also successfully capture the warm ambience of the Snape Maltings, England concert hall, enhancing the vibrant qualities of her performances.
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Subjects:  1. Chamber Music & Recitals    2. Classical    3. Classical Composers    4. Keyboard    5. Romantic Sonata/Sonatina for Keyboard   

Editorial Review

This is a fascinating CD, containing two song cycles--one brand new, by Osvaldo Golijov, and one dating from 1964, by Luciano Berio. Berios's is a setting of folk songs from several countries, including France, Italy, America, and Sardinia. Golijov's songs are in Spanish, but they cross Christian, Jewish, and Arab cultures.The Berio arrangements contain nicely odd harmonic cadences in the accompaniments. Dawn Upshaw sings them simply and directly, albeit in what might be called a traditional operatic, if low-keyed, fashion.Golijov's songs are strange, daring, and magnificent, in composition, accompaniment, rhythm, and vocal delivery. To be sure, Upshaw uses an operatic sound for much of the cycle, but she lets loose with some of the most remarkable yelps, hoots, and bellows to express the texts and situations as well. The songs vary: someare prayers, some folk songs, some lullabies. Golijov orchestrates with accordion, horn, laptop computer (electronica), flute, violin, viola, and more--and the sounds fit the words. He doesn't seem to care whether he's making music classical or popular: as a result he has created something unique. Fans of pop music will be as entranced by this as will those specializing in classical music. Try this--it's remarkable. Read more

Reviews (14)

Lucidand Dazzling
Lucid and Dazzling. That's all there is to say. Lucid and dazzling.
Not original?Ha!
So, I ended up buying this album not for the main piece, Golijov's Ayre but for Upshaw's version of Berio's Folksongs.In fact, in the length of time I've had this disc, which has been a couple of months, at least, I never even once attempted listening to Golijov's piece.The truth of the matter was, I kept telling myself I didn't like Goljov - which was silly and contradictory of me since I've always enjoyed Golijov's The Dreams and Prayers of Isaac the Blind.In fact, because I knew I enjoyed Isaac The Blind, I investigated whether or not I'd enjoy Golijov's newly released opera, Ainadamar.After listening to some 30 second samples from Amazon.com, I must admit that I wasn't impressed with what I heard.I also investigated his La Pasion Segun San Marcos only to arrive at the opinion that it, too, was lacking in very many ways.I immediately figured that aside from Isaac the Blind, Golijov's other material seemed bland, unempathetic and largely undeveloped - almost as if he were in a hurry to be prolific!
Upshaw is a true artist

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Subjects:  1. Chamber    2. Chamber Music    3. Classical    4. Classical Composers    5. Classical Vocals    6. Solo Voice(s) and Small Ensemble    7. Vocal    8. Vocal Music   

Features

• Box set
• Collector's Edition

Reviews (7)

Magical Music...
This is probably the most beautiful piece of music done by Mozart heroine Uchida! If you are looking for a complete Mozart sonata set, this is the one to choose!

Please ignore the low reviews on this set!
There are already several excellent reviews of Uchida's performance of Mozart's piano sonatas, so no need to repeat or elaborate on these well done efforts.But I must warn against putting much credence into the lowly ratings (of 1 to 2 *) - these should be stricken from the reviews listing.I bought this set when released based on having own several single discs in the past, the excellent reviews received in several of the publications already mentioned, and opinions of those I respect in the Good Music Guide forum (good-music-guide.com); if fact, there is an ongoing thread there w/ a poll, and Uchida is receiving about a third of the votes (dozen or so pianists listed) as the top cycle for these compositions.Surprisingly, Klara Wurtz's box set of these pieces on the Brilliant label (i.e. a great value) is in second in the poll - indeed, I purchased this as a 'second' set elsewhere for only $20 - just superb (5* ratings on Amazon), and will need several more hearings to see who I prefer.But, I don't believe you can go wrong w/ either of these box sets.

Weird, weird recording
I only gave this 1 star because its a required feild, I can't enter 0.
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Subjects:  1. Box Sets (Audio Only)    2. Chamber Music & Recitals    3. Classical    4. Classical Artists    5. Classical Music    6. Classical Sonata/Sonatina for Keyboard    7. Fantasy/Fantasia for Keyboard    8. Keyboard   

Reviews (2)

very beautifull
I can not get over how wanderfull this recording is.It is as it was not "clasical" music which is recorded here.It is a musical
Brilliant
I have also reviewed this exceptional recording as a hybrid CD.As might be expected, the sound is amazing.Next to this, listening to even the fine Perlman set on DGG is like watching an old black and white movie from the 1940's next to a modern, color film.The differences don't stop with sound quality, however.Mozart is rendered with passion, nuance and finesse in these delicious performances.Steinberg has also played with the Brentano string quartet, an energetic and rising ensemble.He throws himself into these sonatas with energy and imagination.He also prepared the notes, which, while a tad over-written, are far from the arid stuff one too often encounters.They also are imaginative and reward the time spent contemplating his ideas.There is plenty of food for thought here.Mitsuko Uchida, who has made a reputation with recordings of Debussy and Schubert piano music, not to mention the complete Mozart piano concerti and sonatas, is breaking new ground as an accompanist.She recently enjoyed tremendous success in a recording with Ian Bostridge of Schubert's "Die Schone Mullerin."Here, her talent brings tremendous luster to the playing.I think she has improved noticeably since she made the earlier Mozart recordings.Plainly, she is one of the finest pianists alive.There are of course many fine performances of the Mozart piano and violin sonatas, but this one is special.I cannot recommend it highly enough. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Chamber    2. Chamber Music & Recitals    3. Classical    4. Classical Artists    5. Violin with Keyboard   

Features

• Box set

Reviews (1)

"It doesn't take smelling salts to recover after listening to a performance"

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Subjects:  1. Box Sets (Audio Only)    2. Classical    3. Classical Composers    4. Classical Period Variations for Keyboard    5. Concerto    6. Keyboard    7. Orchestral & Symphonic    8. Piano Concerto   

Editorial Review

With a spirit of innocence and excitement, no audible breaks ofregister, and perfect diction, Dawn Upshaw graces us with a satisfying crossoverrecording in which each song is a fully realized musical monologue. The eclecticand infrequently performed repertoire, from Bernstein, Blitzstein, Sondheim, andWeill, compliments her charm and interpretive acuity. There's her humorous "Sagaof Jenny," her adorable "That's Him," her poignant "Like It Was," and herfreshly vibrant "I Feel Pretty." Conductor Eric Stern is divine in hisarrangements and accompaniment. This is one of the best musical theater albumsavailable. Read more

Reviews (16)

If Dawn Upshaw had made only one album...
I have a weak spot for crossover albums by opera stars, which can often be train wrecks or embarrissing self-parodies. There's not a cringe-worthy note in this one, however. Dawn Upshaw has never been as vibrant on disc, and her style in pop music (albeit serious pop music) surpasses expectations. She is a master at touching vulnerability and stars-in-her-eyes vulnerability. There's no current Broadway star who can match her in any of these songs form Sondheim, Weill, and Bernstein, certainly not for sheer beauty of voice and charm.Upshaw went on to make an excellent album of Rodgers and Hart songs, but nothing else quite matches this first effort.

Great songs by a better than average singer. Buy It.
'I Wish It So' sung by popular / classical switch hitter, Dawn Upshaw is a very, very good interpretation of classical American musical theatre pieces by four masters of the genre, Leonard Bernstein (music), Marc Blitzstein (lyrics), Stephen Sondheim (lyrics) and Kurt Weill (music). As I am most familiar with female interpretations of Kurt Weill's songs, especially by the likes of his widow, Lotte Lenya and Weill interpreter extraordinare, Ute Lemper, I have to say that while Upshaw does them justice, she does ont outshine the very best Weill interpretations. Primarily, I believe she suffers from never actually performing the works on stage, as Lenya has.
A must album for all musical theatre lovers.
Dawn Upshaw once again disproves the adage that opera singers can't sing showtunes properly. Her diction, her ability to act out the lyrics and her crystal clear angel-like voice are just heavenly. Miss Upshaw could teach quite a few Broadway and Cabaret singers a thing or two about interpretation and she would have her hands full teaching opera singers like Te Kanawa or Fleming how to put over a showtune properly. Simply divine! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th/21st Century Music for Voice and Keyboard    2. Classical    3. Classical Artists    4. Miscellaneous    5. Miscellaneous Music    6. Music Theater    7. Musical Theater    8. Show Tunes    9. Solo Voice(s) and Orchestra    10. Soundtrack    11. Vocal   

Reviews (7)

The Amazing Spectrum of the Repertoire of Mitsuko Uchida
For those who bask in the romantic warmth of Mitsuko Uchida's Schubert, Beethoven and Schumann or marvel at the clarity and finesse of her Mozart, this recording will remind all that the fiendishly difficult Schoenberg Piano Concerto Opus 42 is one work that she owns.She is able to find the arching lines within the myriad notes and remind us that the genius of the twelve tone music also gave us 'Gurrelieder' and 'Verklarte Nacht'!Uchida, in perfect synchrony and vision with Pierre Boulez and the Cleveland Orchestra, offers the most brilliant reading of this great concerto on recording!
Berg's Sonata Revealed
I have heard many recorded and live performances of the Berg Sonata, but this is the first which, in my opinion, gives us what Berg intended.The sonata is underrated by many, who clearly have not studied it carefully or listened to it repeatedly. It not to be merely knocked off,as with so many performers(e.g.,Perahia, Aimard, Gould, Nin An, et al.). Berg's score is richly detailed with clues to his intentions which,when followed (as here), result in an illuminating and accessible performance. And only an elitist would quarrel with accessibility. The artist's accuracy, particularly in the difficult development section (usually muddied up by others), and her sensitive interpretation throughout, make this the choice of the litter.
Among Uchida's Best
A little perspective: I am a 21-year old pianist who has made it his obligation in the past couple of years to thoroughly internalize Schoenberg's Op. 11 and 19, both of which are found on this CD.I am a stickler for following every little marking Schoenberg wrote, but I see a lot of room for creativity, too.My reference recordings have been those of Charles Rosen and Maurizio Pollini, both of which I hold in high esteem for their clean precision and abstract imagery.For the Berg sonata, I am partial to Maria Yudina's exuberant (and hard to find) recording.For the Webern variations, Richter's live performance in Vienna is my favorite.The Concerto is new to me, but I pulled out some recordings from the library to compare it to - Gould, Brendel, Ax, Peter Serkin.
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Subjects:  1. 20th/21st Century Sonata/Sonatina for Keyboard    2. 20th/21st Century Variations for Keyboard    3. Classical    4. Classical Composers    5. Classical Music    6. Coll. of Character/Single-Movement/Misc. Works for Keyb.    7. Concerto    8. Keyboard    9. Orchestral & Symphonic    10. Piano Concerto   

Editorial Review

Barber's Read more

Reviews (10)

Excellent Material for Ms. Upshaw.
'Knoxville: Summer of 1915' is a performance of a selection of operatic pieces by Americans such as Samuel Barber or Europeans transplanted to the United States, such as Igor Stravinsky. Ms. Upshaw shines with material, which is good for her, since she is just slightly out of her league with the material covered by the likes of Renee Flemming on the operatic front and Ute Lemper and Lotte Lenya on the Euro/American popular musical stage.
Keeps Getting Better
I have had this disc for years, and I'm more impressed with it as the years roll by. I bought it for Barber's "Knoxville, Summer of 1915" which is a glorious piece of music caught here in a luminous performance. I didn't initially warm up to the Harbison songs, but they have grown on me over the years to the point that I listen to them far more often than the Barber now. I think it just took me a while to absorb Harbison's style and understand how deftly and ingeniously he uses it to take the listener into Mirabai's world. Not to be missed!

The Barber alone is worth five stars
People are always saying that they find a particular piece of music is "haunting."For me Barber's "Knoxville: Summer of 1915" is such a work.Dawn Upshaw's reading of this great American masterwork is the best I have yet heard.She won her first Grammy Award for this recording - and deservedly so.If you're a fan of either Upshaw or Barber you'll want to add this beautiful CD to your collection. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American 20th/21st Century Opera    2. Classical    3. Classical Composers    4. Classical Music    5. Opera    6. Opera / Operetta / Oratorio    7. Show Tunes    8. Solo Voice(s) and Orchestra    9. Vocal   

Editorial Review

Copland's Read more

Reviews (6)

Upbeat American Music Sung with Impeccable Style
Thomas Hampson has an amazing artistic range and this CD compilation shows his lighter side.The first time I heard him sing the children's nursery rhyme Fiddle I Fee, I laughed out loud.Who knew he did animal noises too?My six year old daughter also loves this compilaton.

Ambassadors of American Song
Baritone Thomas Hampson, soprano Dawn Upshaw, and Hugh Wolff conducting the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra combine in this memorable CD to offer a program featuring songs of the American composer, Aaron Copland (1900 --1990). While American popular song has spread worldwide, too many listeners remain unaware of American achievement in the realm of the art song.
This is one to share with friends
I've seen Thomas Hampson Live a couple of times, and I believe he has one of the most glorious voices in the world.If "Simple Gifts" doesn't make you a little weepy, your heart must be made of stone. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th/21st Century Ballet    2. 20th/21st Century Music for Voice and Keyboard    3. Ballet    4. Classical    5. Classical Composers    6. Classical Music    7. Keyboard    8. Keyboard Work with Descriptive or Unclassified Title    9. Orchestral    10. Solo Voice(s) and Orchestra    11. Suite for Orchestra    12. Vocal   

Reviews (2)

Great Sound and Performance
This disc has demo quality sound and the ECO plays beautifully under Tate - one of my earliest purchases on CD and a wonderful disc to listen to over and over again...

One of the best of her piano concerto cycles
I love this performances because it's full of drive/momentum. Maybe the 3rd movt.(Rondo) of No.23 is one of the fastest performance without sounding shallow or superficial. Extremely good sound quality is also aplus. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Classical    2. Classical Composers    3. Classical Music    4. Concerto    5. Piano Concerto   

Editorial Review

Most famous for her operatic roles and classical recital performances, soprano Dawn Upshaw will surprise her fans and impress popular song aficionados with these superlative renditions of classic songs by Rodgers and Hart. Unlike many of her operatic peers who have no clue how to pull off a true pop style, Upshaw does it expertly, elegantly, and naturally, with class to spare. Read more

Reviews (8)

A must album for all lovers of classic Broadway
Dawn Upshaw is absolutely marvelous in these renditions of classic Rodgers & Hart songs. Not since Rise Stevens has an opera singer shown such talent for singing showtunes. Unlike Renee Fleming, Ms. Upshaw sings these songs clearly and with perfect diction, without embellishments or unnecessary vocal pyrotechnics. These songs should be sung "straight" as if it were and Dawn sings each one beautifully. Her phrasing is impeccable, her voice is clear like a bell. This album should serve as a case study of how opera singers can tackle showtunes.

Dick and Larry Would Be Pleased
As I love both Rodgers and Hart's songs and the voice of Dawn Upshaw, this CD was an obvious choice.Upshaw is one of the very few opera singers today who are equally at home in popular song.Her crystal-pure voice and diction sound completely natural in these sixteen song classics."He Was Too Good to Me," "Manhattan," "Sing for Your Supper," "Thou Swell," "I Didn't Know What Time It Was," "A Ship Without a Sail," "He Dances on My Ceiling," and the superbly arranged medley of "Nobody's Heart" and "Little Girl Blue" are among my favorite tracks.This is an essential disc if you love Rodgers and Hart.

Great Album
Though I prefer her "I Wish It So" or Vernon Duke album, this is a great recording. The voice is a little too bright, but Upshaw does a wonderful job interpreting these pieces and she is never too operatic. It's a light, lyrical collection and lots of fun. I especially enjoyed "Sing for Your Supper," in which she sings her own back-up. If you are looking for a collection of light music sung by a fantastically trained singer, this is it! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Classical    2. Classical Artists    3. Miscellaneous    4. Miscellaneous Music    5. Popular Music    6. Show Tunes    7. Showtunes / B'way    8. Solo Voice(s) and Small Ensemble    9. Vocal   

Editorial Review

The three sonatas on this disc were all written in 1777-78, and mark Mozart's attainment of a new level of skill and sophistication in his writing for the piano. Uchida's accounts, recorded in 1985, midway through her survey of the composer'scomplete piano sonatas for Philips, are sympathetic and nicely shaped. Some pianists have found more vehemence and darkness in the A minor sonata, K. 310, and more elegance in the two major-key works, but the balanced, essentially lyrical approach Uchida brings to the music works very well. This is soulful playing, of an intimacy not often encountered these days, and the recording does it full justice. Read more

Reviews (5)

great recording
I love this recording.Uchida has a way of using contrast which really makes Mozart exciting to listen too.Her playing has incredible subtlty and nuance, which is characteristic of music of the classical era, however, her playing is never so subtle as to be boring!I liked classical era music before I bought this disc, but this disc really helped me gain a new appreciation for Mozart because her playing really makes the music interesting.

Ravishing form on Mozart sonatas
I'd like to be as good at ANYTHING as Mitsuko Uchida is in these works; strong conception of the music, fine technique, unbelievable bending of the piano's sound to the purposes of the music. Buy and listen with jaw dropped.

Timeless
The music is, of course, by Mozart and requires no salesmanship. Ms. Uchida's performance achieves that highest level of artistry wherein you feel that nothing stands between you and the composer. Her limpid interpretations will sound as simple and correct 50 years from now as they do today. Brava! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Classical    2. Classical Composers    3. Classical Music    4. Classical Sonata/Sonatina for Keyboard    5. Keyboard   

Editorial Review

Dawn Upshaw here explores outstanding examples of the past century of French song, adding a brief detour into Spanish with a haunting gem by Osvaldo Golijov. The recital's centerpiece is Fauré's Read more

Reviews (3)

French songs luminously performed
OK, quibble all you want with Dawn Upshaw's French pronunciations...I'm told the French find American accents "sexy." Upshaw and Kalish bring remarkable interpretive skill to these performances.The Debussy "Chansons de Bilitis," set poems by one of the composer's best friends to music of exquisite, almost erotic playfulness. Similarly, Faure's "Chanson d'Eve" is a remarkably beautiful late work of serene detachment.I'm not a big fan of Messian's music, but Upshaw and Kalish certainly make the most of these difficult and "ecstatic" songs.All told, with the delicious Golijov song tossed in, a lush treat.

Lay me etherized upon the table........
The otherworldly presentation by Dawn Upshaw and Gilbert Kalish of songs by the under appreciated spiritualist composer Olivier Messiaen in the company of other composers of luminosity songs such as Claude Debussy, Gabriel Faure and the contemporary Osvaldo Golijov is one of the most unique and successful recordings to appear in a long time.Upshaw remains a clear voiced soprano who cares deeply about exploring repertoire to challenge her large audience: her recitals are never retreads of standard warhorses.
Another challenging, engaging triumph
I can't really speak to the technical side of this album.
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Subjects:  1. Classical    2. Classical Artists    3. Classical Vocals    4. Post-Romantic    5. Show Tunes    6. Song Collection for Solo Voice and Piano    7. Song Cycle for Solo Voice and Piano    8. Vocal    9. Vocal Music   

Editorial Review

Soprano Dawn Upshaw's programs are always interesting, and this one's a beauty: one of Bach's most heartfelt cantatas flanked by songs and arias of Purcell. For the most part, she's in excellent voice, but with the tics that make some demur from enthusiasm: occasional swooping, thinning of the voice in the upper regions, lapses into a "Broadway" type of vocalism, and diction problems. The latter, oddly enough, are as present in Purcell's English as in Bach's German, as in the way Upshaw lands heavily on the Read more

Reviews (4)

Beautiful, fervent Bach, but the Purcell songs are a bit prettified
Amazon's reviewer seems to have zoned out on how Dawn Upshaw pronounces words, missing most of the musical value here. Her singing of the Bach cantata, 'Mein Herze schwimmt in Blut,' is very moving. She is deeply involved, and her voice extracts the deep reverence and religious passion that makes this music so great. I'm not as convinced by the Purcell songs, however. Upshaw has chosen some of the most famous, and set against great singers like Battle, Baker, and Ferrier, her rendiitons seem a little shallow and prettified. She's considerably more tuned in to Bach, which is good enough to make this a memorable CD, if not her very best.Things would be much improved if the conducting by the (totally uncredited) conductor weren't so limp.

Now that the Sun hath veil'd his light.....
Some say angels are God's messangers.When angels communicate, surely they sound like Dawn Upshaw. Upshaw's beautiful soprano voice rises to the stars and floats back again as she sings the beautiful collection of arias and cantatas by Purcell and Bach contained in ANGELS HIDE THEIR FACES. Picky reviewers
I've got a degree in musicology ( and am fluent in German as well), and for a while after total immersion in graduate school, found my listening enjoyment frustrated by the same pickiness that hampers your reviewer. Fortunately, that passed, and I'm now able to simply appreciate Dawn Upshaw's performance of the music we hear all too seldom. I hope that others will be able to participate in Upshaw's interpretation of the poetry behind the music, to think about the theological role of angels (not just pretty faces and feathery wings), to love this wonderful recording. We are indeed blessed that technology allows us to experience such music, such an artist. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art Song (General)    2. Baroque Incidental Music for Orchestra and Voices (or Sem    3. Cantata    4. Choral    5. Classical    6. Classical Artists    7. Classical Music    8. Classical Vocals    9. Vocal   

Reviews (4)

GRACE AND POWER ! THE MAGNIFICENT MITSUKO !!
Mitsuko Uchida, one of the PREMIER classical pianists of our time, presents this Mozart Sonata interpretation as a stunningly beautiful aural work of art. Ms Uchida produces breathtaking readings of each movementthat are wonderous to behold. How someone so petite can wield such pianistic power and command of nuanceis a wonderful mystery of the classical music world (or any musical world), known only to herself.Grace and Power, indeed!!
The Mozart Authority!!!
One of the surer things in the classical-music realm; Mitsuko Uchida takes us all to a different level of expectation from that of Mozart. I have heard various recording of Uchida - all but simply incredible. Without even listening to this one, I can guarantee you that this would suit my liking and for all of those who have taste.

A beatuiful mix of his greatest pieces
A uplifting performance and a great relaxe ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Classical    2. Classical Composers    3. Classical Music    4. Classical Sonata/Sonatina for Keyboard    5. Keyboard   

Features

• Box set

Reviews (1)

Reissue
This the budget reissue of the set listing for$118. It is the sane as the Tate/Uchida,but with paper selves. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Box Sets (Audio Only)    2. Chamber Music & Recitals    3. Classical    4. Classical Composers    5. Concerto    6. Piano Concerto   

Editorial Review

This was a seminal recital album: Dawn Upshaw not only came of age artistically but showedthe world she wouldn't be maintaining the status quo repertoire. The program is a carefully sequencedsuccession of darkly mysterious exotica, including Maurice Delage's Read more

Reviews (8)

Making high modernism (a little) easier
It was brave of Dawn Upshaw, who could have made her career in charming soubrtte roles and crossover pop, to lend her public fame to a really tough colleciton of modern songs. None of this music is immediately tuneful, and some (the wroks by Kim and Delage) is tough listening by any standards. The colleciton is held together by its exotic atmosphere and the delicacy of the poetry.
Very Enjoyable selection.
'The Girl with Orange Lips' sung by Dawn Upshaw, backed with a rather eclectic colleciton of musicians, is the kind of album Ms. Upshaw should really be doing. Like 'White Moon', it is a collection of unusual songs from far corners of 20th century repitoire, rather than an essay on the more familiar material which is done so well by the heavyweights such as Renee Fleming, Anne Sophie von Otter, and Cecilia Bartolli, not to mention songs of the modern European and American stage owned, in my mind, by Ute Lemper.
An intriguing recital, beautifully sung
This might be my favorite recording by Dawn Upshaw, and she's done some wonderful work.The slightly startling title is taken from Earl Kim's song cycle Where Grief Slumbers, one of the highlights of a very well-conceived program.Of Kim's gorgeous set of seven songs, the real stunner is "Ophelia," with a dramatic a capella opening that Upshaw handles immaculately, before the harp and strings enter with their mellow accompaniment.
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Subjects:  1. Classical    2. Classical Artists    3. Classical Music    4. Opera / Operetta / Oratorio    5. Show Tunes    6. Solo Voice(s) and Small Ensemble    7. Vocal   

Reviews (4)

Mozart and Uchida
Of all of the names of composers in musical history, Mozart is one of most well-known. As a composer of the Classical era he was expected to write music both pleasing and accessible to the common musician. However, Mozart was not always so light and optimistic as he is commonly known. As often as he could, he placed in his music passages which during his time would have been considered dissonant and unpleasant. Perhaps one the most known of these works is his symphony no. 40 with its rather jarring first theme, but this other side of him can also be brought out in most all of his works in some section of each one of them.