2021 GRAMMY® Nomination
Classical Solo Vocal Album

“Through his ever-responsive voice, joy, tragedy, longing, and more are given dramatic and at times theatrical expression.”

-Textura

“A deeply satisfying solo debut recital album.  His achievement is all the more extraordinary for resonating so compellingly with our historical moment.”
Gramophone

“Superb in both concept and execution—it’s one of the most interesting recitals of American song repertory in years.”
Opera News (Critic’s Choice)

“…a masterfully conceived and executed celebration of modern American art song that ranks with the finest such recordings… His musical instincts are faultless…”
Journal of Singing

“Suffused with tenderness...particularly evocative.”
Oberon’s Grove

 “This is a recital of high distinction...The composers, I’m sure, went home happy from the sessions, convinced he’d done their music justice.”
Present Arts

“The songs sparkle like small gems as Powell calibrates his voice to their scale with taste and intelligence.”
Schmopera

“This distinctly American album...makes a compelling case for why art song remains such an important part of the musical literature.”
WGTE

“Unique and intriguing...Powell expresses his yearning with achingly beautiful tones and touching sensitivity.”
Broadway World

“It would be hard to find a better album of contemporary American songs than this...Everything you could hope for...Powell’s performance is splendid.” 
American Record Guide

“Often when we get recordings of interesting new repertoire, we have to make do with adequate performances. Not so here. Powell’s singing is superb, whether he is letting his ringing baritone go full throttle or internalizing some reflective passage with a well-supported pianissimo. His diction is very clear, and he has the ability to bring the texts to life. In short, these are fully committed and beautifully vocalized performances. Kudos to the producers for providing complete texts in addition to helpful program notes. The recorded sound is very well balanced and natural. Highly recommended to anyone interested in the American art song repertoire.”
—Henry Fogel, Fanfare

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World Premiere recordings: *

*1. The Wind Sighs, aria from Ludlow, Lori Laitman (b. 1955)

*2. Souvenir, Ricky Ian Gordon (b. 1956)

Enough Rope, John Musto (b. 1954)

3. Social Note

4. Résumé

5. The Sea

6. Waitin, William Bolcom (b. 1938)

Men with Small Heads, Lori Laitman

7. Men with Small Heads

8. Refrigerator, 1957

9. A Small Tin Parrot Pin

10. Snake Lake

11. Can’t Sleep, William Bolcom

12. Song of Black Max, (as told by the de Kooning boys), William Bolcom

The Brief Light, John Musto

13. When You Danced

14. Song

15. The Voices

16. The Brief Light

17. The Summons

18. I Have Drifted

19. Bus Stop, Ricky Ian Gordon

*20. Father’s Song, Ricky Ian Gordon

21. Billy in the Darbies, William Bolcom

*Two by Frost, John Musto

22. Nothing Gold Can Stay

23. The Rose Family

24. Satisfaction, William Bolcom

25. If I..., Lori Laitman

26. Lady Death, William Bolcom

*27. The Good Death, Ricky Ian Gordon

28. Money, Lori Laitman

29. A Horse with Wings, Ricky Ian Gordon

Total Time: 75:27

Stephen Powell | William Bolcom | Lori Laitman | Ricky Ian Gordon | John Musto
Attacca Quartet | Charles Neidich | Jason Vieaux | Cover Art | Press Release

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