Feminine Fusion

May 25 – 31: Words and Music

by Diane Jones

May 25, 2019

Composer Kaija Saariaho

“Music is a way “Music is a way to dream together and go to another dimension.” – Cecilia Bartoli

It takes a particular skill to marry words and music. This episode features opera and art songs, from women whose output spans the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries. Fairy tales, historical figures, and love from afar.

“Words and Music”

Pauline Viardot-Garcia:  Excerpts from “Cendrillon”
Sandrine Piau, soprano (Cendrillon); Elizabeth Vidal, mezzo-soprano (Fairy Godmother);
Geoffrey Mitchell Choir; Nicholas Kok, conductor and pianist
“Il Salotto, Vol. 3:  Cendrillon”
Opera Rara 212

Thea Musgrave:  Excerpts from “Mary, Queen of Scots”
Ashley Putnam, soprano (Mary);
Virginia Opera Association; Peter Mark, conductor
“Mary, Queen of Scots”
Novello Records 108

Kaija Saariaho:  Excerpts from “L’amour de Loin”
Berlin Symphony Orchestra; Kent Nagano, conductor
“L’amour de Loin”
Ondine 10492

Vitezslava Kapralova:  Navzdy
Daniel Weeks, tenor; Naomi Oliphant, piano
“Women of Firsts”
Centaur Records 2966

Amy Cheney Beach:  Sweetheart, Sigh No More
Patrick Mason, baritone; Joanne Polk, piano
“Songs of Amy Beach”
Bridge Recordings 9182

Amy Cheney Beach:  Villanelle
Patrick Mason, baritone; Joanne Polk, piano
“Songs of Amy Beach”
Bridge Recordings 9182

Amy Cheney Beach:  I Shall Be Brave
Patrick Mason, baritone; Joanne Polk, piano
“Songs of Amy Beach”
Bridge Recordings 9182

Pauline Viardot-Garcia:  Auf Grusien’s Hugeln (Of Grusein’s Hills)
Eileen Strempel, soprano; Sylvia Beaudette, piano
“With All My Soul”
Oasis 1

Pauline Viardot-Garcia:  Des nacths (Night)
Eileen Strempel, soprano; Sylvia Beaudette, piano
“With All My Soul”
Oasis 1

Pauline Viardot-Garcia:  Die Beschworung (Incantation)
Eileen Strempel, soprano; Sylvia Beaudette, piano
“With All My Soul”
Oasis 1

Run time:  58:29

Feminine Fusion highlights the roles of women in classical music.  Host Diane Jones brings you stories and music of the women who create, perform, and inspire.  Produced in the studios at WCNY-FM.