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Book Jane Spencer Mills for a groupmuse

20th Century American Art Song


Details

Jane Spencer Mills full profile / piano, voice / 2 musicians

Other players: Nicole Faghihi


Full program notes

Songs and Sonnets to Ophelia:
Jake Heggie has created and continues to create an impressive cannon of art song; many of you may know his internationally acclaimed operatic works. In this cycle, he champions Ophelia from Hamlet tracking her relationship from hopeful beginnings to the inevitable end. Jake, as is often the case, recasts the heroine with strength and perception.

Hermit Songs:
Samuel Barber took great care to only publish what he was most proud of. From his Adagio for Strings, to choral works, to Art Song. This is a setting of several texts written in the 8th through 11th century by monks. they were found in the margins of the pages they were illuminating. Kind of old school side bar conversations or graffiti. We look forward to giving you a few snapshots of the cloistered life. I think you will see that their commentary is contemporary to our time.


Historical context

Art Song is a western classical term and it continues the practice found in many musical traditions of sharing a story or poem on a small stage. An operatic aria is meant for a large hall. These songs are meant to be shared at a closer range.


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