Paul Appleby, Brian Zeger, Susanna Phillips – Dear Theo: 3 Song Cycles by Ben Moore (2014) [Official Digital Download 24bit/96kHz]

Paul Appleby, Brian Zeger, Susanna Phillips - Dear Theo: 3 Song Cycles by Ben Moore (2014) [Official Digital Download 24bit/96kHz] Download

Ben Moore is a particularly eloquent exponent of the art song, noted for the broad and eclectic variety of his thematic applications and poetic sources. Here, in his first album for Delos, he offers three diverse and richly expressive song cycles – hitherto unrecorded – that explore the theme of longing for freedom in diverse ways. Tenor Paul Appleby, soprano Susanna Phillips and baritone Brett Polegato deliver lovely singing and sensitive interpretations, supported to perfection by pianist Brian Zeger.

Dear Theo, the title set, is based upon the letters of legendary artist Vincent van Gogh to his brother Theo. So Free am I sets poetry by women from across millennia, expressing their longing to be free of the ages-old societal discrimination they have suffered. Ode to a Nightingale sets John Keats’ famous poem, with a separate song devoted to each stanza.

Tracklist:

01. Paul Appleby – Dear Theo: No. 1, The Red Vineyard (03:09)
02. Paul Appleby – Dear Theo: No. 2, I Found a Woman (02:22)
03. Paul Appleby – Dear Theo: No. 3, Little One (01:53)
04. Paul Appleby – Dear Theo: No. 4, The Man I Have to Paint (01:46)
05. Paul Appleby – Dear Theo: No. 5, When I’m at Work (01:24)
06. Paul Appleby – Dear Theo: No. 6, Already Broken (02:16)
07. Paul Appleby – Dear Theo: No. 7, Souvenir (03:09)
08. Susanna Phillips – So Free Am I: No. 1, Mutta (01:35)
09. Susanna Phillips – So Free Am I: No. 2, Interlude (03:55)
10. Susanna Phillips – So Free Am I: No. 3, Orinda Upon Little Hector Philips (03:25)
11. Susanna Phillips – So Free Am I: No. 4, Nervous Prostration (02:08)
12. Susanna Phillips – So Free Am I: No. 5, The Poem as Mask – Orpheus (03:40)
13. Susanna Phillips – So Free Am I: No. 6, Mettika (02:30)
14. Brett Polegato – Ode to a Nightingale: No. 1, My heart aches (03:06)
15. Brett Polegato – Ode to a Nightingale: No. 2, O, for a draught (03:10)
16. Brett Polegato – Ode to a Nightingale: No. 3, Fade far away (02:46)
17. Brett Polegato – Ode to a Nightingale: No. 4, Away! Away! (01:25)
18. Brett Polegato – Ode to a Nightingale: No. 5, I cannot see what flowers (03:01)
19. Brett Polegato – Ode to a Nightingale: No. 6, Darkling I listen (03:29)
20. Brett Polegato – Ode to a Nightingale: No. 7, Thou wast not born for death (03:12)
21. Brett Polegato – Ode to a Nightingale: No. 8, Adieu! (03:03)
22. Paul Appleby – The Lake Isle of Innisfree (03:47)