Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of Samuel Barber's vocal masterpieces with "Mélodies passagères: The Songs of Samuel Barber." This captivating album, released on January 1, 2012, under the Quartz Music label, is a testament to Barber's profound musical genius and his ability to evoke deep emotions through his compositions. Spanning a duration of one hour, this collection features 28 songs that showcase Barber's unique blend of classical elegance and contemporary sensibility.
The album is a journey through Barber's diverse song cycles, including the hauntingly beautiful "Mélodies passagères," the introspective "Hermit Songs," and the evocative "Despite and Still." Each piece is performed with exquisite sensitivity by the talented soprano Gweneth-Ann Jeffers, accompanied by the masterful pianist Stephen de Pledge. Their collaboration brings a new depth and nuance to Barber's works, making this album a standout in the classical music genre.
From the ethereal "Un cygne" to the poignant "Sure on This Shining Night," each song is a masterclass in musical storytelling. Barber's ability to capture the essence of human emotion is evident in every note, making this album a must-listen for anyone who appreciates the power of classical music. Whether you are a longtime fan of Samuel Barber or a newcomer to his work, this album is sure to leave a lasting impression.
(C) 2012 Quartz Music(P) 2012 Quartz Music
Tracks
Mélodies passagères, Op. 27: No. 1, Puisque tout passeSamuel Barber, Gweneth-Ann Jeffers, Stephen De Pledge
Mélodies passagères, Op. 27: No. 2, Un cygneSamuel Barber, Gweneth-Ann Jeffers, Stephen De Pledge
Mélodies passagères, Op. 27: No. 3, Tombeau dans un parcSamuel Barber, Gweneth-Ann Jeffers, Stephen De Pledge
Mélodies passagères, Op. 27: No. 4, Le clocher chanteSamuel Barber, Gweneth-Ann Jeffers, Stephen De Pledge
Mélodies passagères, Op. 27: No. 5, DépartSamuel Barber, Gweneth-Ann Jeffers, Stephen De Pledge
Nuvoletta, Op. 25Samuel Barber, Gweneth-Ann Jeffers, Stephen De Pledge
3 Songs, Op. 10: No. 1, Rain Has FallenSamuel Barber, Gweneth-Ann Jeffers, Stephen De Pledge
3 Songs, Op. 10: No. 2, Sleep NowSamuel Barber, Gweneth-Ann Jeffers, Stephen De Pledge
3 Songs, Op. 10: No. 3, I Hear an ArmySamuel Barber, Gweneth-Ann Jeffers, Stephen De Pledge
4 Songs, Op. 13: No. 1, A Nun Takes the VeilSamuel Barber, Gweneth-Ann Jeffers, Stephen De Pledge
4 Songs, Op. 13: No. 2, The Secrets of the OldSamuel Barber, Gweneth-Ann Jeffers, Stephen De Pledge
4 Songs, Op. 13: No. 3, Sure on This Shining NightSamuel Barber, Gweneth-Ann Jeffers, Stephen De Pledge
4 Songs, Op. 13: No. 4, NocturneSamuel Barber, Gweneth-Ann Jeffers, Stephen De Pledge
Despite and Still, Op. 41: No. 1, A Last SongSamuel Barber, Gweneth-Ann Jeffers, Stephen De Pledge
Despite and Still, Op. 41: No. 2, My LizardSamuel Barber, Gweneth-Ann Jeffers, Stephen De Pledge
Despite and Still, Op. 41: No. 3, In the WildernessSamuel Barber, Gweneth-Ann Jeffers, Stephen De Pledge
Despite and Still, Op. 41: No. 4, Solitary HotelSamuel Barber, Gweneth-Ann Jeffers, Stephen De Pledge
Despite and Still, Op. 41: No. 5, Despite and StillSamuel Barber, Gweneth-Ann Jeffers, Stephen De Pledge
Hermit Songs, Op. 29: No. 1, At Saint Patrick's PurgatorySamuel Barber, Gweneth-Ann Jeffers, Stephen De Pledge
Hermit Songs, Op. 29: No. 2, Church Bells at NightSamuel Barber, Gweneth-Ann Jeffers, Stephen De Pledge
Hermit Songs, Op. 29: No. 3, Saint Ita's VisionSamuel Barber, Gweneth-Ann Jeffers, Stephen De Pledge
Hermit Songs, Op. 29: No. 4, The Heavenly BanquetSamuel Barber, Gweneth-Ann Jeffers, Stephen De Pledge
Hermit Songs, Op. 29: No. 5, The CrucifixionSamuel Barber, Gweneth-Ann Jeffers, Stephen De Pledge
Hermit Songs, Op. 29: No. 6, Sea-snatchSamuel Barber, Gweneth-Ann Jeffers, Stephen De Pledge
Hermit Songs, Op. 29: No. 7, PromiscuitySamuel Barber, Gweneth-Ann Jeffers, Stephen De Pledge
Hermit Songs, Op. 29: No. 8, The Monk and His CatSamuel Barber, Gweneth-Ann Jeffers, Stephen De Pledge
Hermit Songs, Op. 29: No. 9, The Praises of GodSamuel Barber, Gweneth-Ann Jeffers, Stephen De Pledge
Hermit Songs, Op. 29: No. 10, The Desire for HermitageSamuel Barber, Gweneth-Ann Jeffers, Stephen De Pledge