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
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
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