Album Description: This album serves as a profoundly moving tribute to the artistry of mezzo-soprano Lorraine Hunt Lieberson, who passed away on July 3rd, 2006 after a long bout with cancer, at the age of 52. It is also a testament to the remarkable personal and musical relationship the singer cultivated with her composer husband Peter Lieberson, who adapted five sonnets from Chilean poet Pablo Neruda for this work, jointly commissioned by the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Boston Symphony.
Amazon.com: This beautiful, touching cycle of five love songs on poems by Pablo Neruda was composed by Peter Lieberson for his wife, Lorraine Hunt Lieberson. They were first presented in Los Angeles in May, 2005. This recording, coming as it does just months after Hunt Lieberson's untimely death, is a fitting tribute to her art. The songs are as arrestingly lovely and moving as are her performances of them. It will be a long time before another singer dares undertake a performance that might try to bring something new to the music. Scored for mezzo-soprano and a bevy of instruments (not all of which ever play at once--flutes, oboe, English horn, clarinets, bassoons, horns, trumpets, various percussion, harp, piano and strings--the songs are all "approachable" modern music, filled with both drama and a distinctively Spanish flavor. The songs range from a sensual appreciation of the beloved and a fear of separation to a peaceful but very sad evocation: "My love, if I die and you don't." Lieberson clearly composed them with great love for his wife; we the listeners benefit from that love in the direct, candid music and performances. This cycle may just be the Four Last Songs of the 21st century. A must. --Robert Levine
Lorraine lives on forever! Lorraine Hunt Lieberson's voice has been compared to some of the worlds most prominent female vocalists of all time. Certainly she stands at the pinnacle of my list. Knowing that Lorraine passed away all to soon, I treasure the music she has left for mankind to savor. Her masterful technique and brilliant voice should be heard by all! Peter Lieberson, Lorraine's husband, composed these songs specifically for her. Listen to this recording over and over. Each time you will not want it to end. Thank you Lorraine. Thank you Peter. Tamme
Love story with 6 stars NOT 5 ! I will not rehash the fine reviews. All are on the mark when rating this work and this performer as a special talent...with us for far too short a time.
I just saw a performance in Aspen last weekend of Lieberson's Neruda Songs. I am still wiping away the tears for Peter's loss of his late wife, Lorraine Hunt. As a special treat for all, he was in the audience and graciously assisted in the rehersals of Kelly O'Connor's very fine performance of his moving cycle.
If you don't own this CD - buy it now and while you're at it, purchase Handel's Theodora co-starring Hunt Lieberson. You're in for a real treat. Oh, and read about these two love birds online. Bet you cry alittle for this lovestruck couple!
A personal comment about its length I had the good fortune to be at the performance at Boston Symphony Hall in November 2005 when this CD was recorded. The emotional effect was so intense for both my wife and myself that we did not stay for the rest of the concert--a Mahler symphony no less. Any coupling of this Cd with another work would distract from its emotional effect.
Elegance and heart It is no wonder that this recording received the Grammy award. The artist has such elegant phrasing and vocal beauty that it is not necessary to understand the Spanish language.
The language, however, has been well-served by Mr. Lieberson. He fits the poems and his compositions together with great care. We "see" some of the images of the poetry as we hear the music.
always learning A most beautiful voice ,most tender and passionate love, I played this all year and gave it as a gift to a newly married couple. They loved it, although never listen to "classical" music.
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