Category Archives: Uncategorized

Episode 26. Calling You (Music for a World in Crisis)

March 15, 2020UncategorizedAida, Alfredo Catalani, Andre Previn, Anne Roselle, Anytime Any Place Anywhere, Bagdad Cafe, Blow the Wind Southerly, Calling You, Chi Coltrane, Claudia Muzio, Danny Boy, Don Shirley, Dusty Springfield, Ebben ne andro lontana, Edvard Grieg, Eide Norena, Eileen Farrell, Elinor Ross, Frieder Weissmann, Giuseppe Verdi, Hina Spani, I Will Come to You, Il Trovatore, Its Not Easy, Janis Ian, La forza del destino, La Wally, Lee Wiley, Licinio Refice, Linden Lea, Lorraine Hunt Lieberson, Ma dall arido stelo divulsa, Martha Flowers, Meta Seinemeyer, Ned Washington, O patria mia, Ombra di nube, Peter Serkin, Rosa Ponselle, Spring Is Here, Un ballo in maschera, Våren, Victor Youngcountermelody

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The world is in chaos. We don’t know from one day to the next, or one hour to the next, what is going to happen. I am currently halfway around the world from home and wondering what the coming weeks will bring. This week I have decided to feature music that addresses reaching out to loved ones across enormous gaps of time and space, the yearning for a home lost and the ambivalence with which we face the changing seasons. But all is not hopelessness: at the end of the episode, I offer several pop songs by some of my favorite singers that address the promise of healing and reunion, no matter how difficult the process. In this episode, marking the six-month anniversary of Countermelody, I’m featuring Lorraine Hunt Lieberson, Hina Spani, Rosa Ponselle, Meta Seinemeyer, Anne Roselle, Claudia Muzio, Eidé Noréna, Eileen Farrell, Kathleen Ferrier, Martha Flowers, Janis Ian, Chi Coltrane, and Dusty Springfield. I also offer a recording I made in 2006 of “Danny Boy,” and I explain the song’s significance to me.

Countermelody is a new podcast devoted to the glories of the human voice raised in song. Singer and vocal aficionado Daniel Gundlach explores great classical and opera singers of the past and present with the help of guests from the classical music field: singers, conductors, composers, coaches, agents, and voice teachers. Daniel’s lifetime in music as a professional countertenor, pianist, vocal coach, voice teacher, and journalist yields an exciting array of anecdotes, impressions, and “inside stories.” At Countermelody’s core is the interaction between singers of all stripes, their instruments, and the connection they make to the words they sing. Please also visit the Countermelody website for updates, additional content, and to pledge your support. www.countermelodypodcast.com

Episode 24. Freni in Duet (Mirella In Memoriam I)

March 1, 2020UncategorizedAlfredo Kraus, Carlos Kleiber, Claudio Abbado, Don Giovanni, Franco Bonisolli, Franco Corelli, Giacomo Puccini, Gianni Schicchi, Giuseppe Verdi, Gundula Janowitz, I Puritani, La Boheme, La Traviata, Lamberto Gardelli, Le due illustri rivali, Le nozze di Figaro, Leone Magiera, Luciano Pavarotti, Luis Lima, Manon Lescaut, Mirella Freni, Nicolai Gedda, Otello, Peter Dvorsky, Renata Scotto, Saverio Mercadante, Vincenzo Bellinicountermelody

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Today, in the first of two consecutive episodes. I pay tribute to the great Mirella Freni, who died on February 7 and who would have celebrated her 85th birthday on February 27th. Celebrated for the freshness of her timbre, her musical integrity and commitment, her vocal prowess and longevity, and her expressivity, Freni sang a repertoire which covered a wide range of styles and languages. Today’s selections, from over the course of her entire career, feature her exclusively in duet, and include selections from Gianni Schicchi, I Puritani, L’Elisir d’amore, Le nozze di Figaro, La Bohème, Otello, Manon Lescaut, Don Carlo, Le due illustri rivali, Don Giovanni, and La Traviata with Alfredo Kraus, Nicolai Gedda, Gundula Janowitz, Franco Corelli, Luciano Pavarotti, Peter Dvorsky, Luis Lima, Renata Scotto, and her husband Nicolai Ghiaurov. Three selections from a rare 1977 LP of Puccini and Verdi duets with the superlative (and notorious!) Italian tenor Franco form the centerpiece of this loving tribute.

Episode 23. Lawrence Winters and Robert McFerrin (Black History Month IV)

February 23, 2020UncategorizedAdele Addison, Bess You Is My Woman Now, Bonanza Theme Song, Call Me Mister, Camilla Williams, Fausto Cleva, Grace de la Cruz, Hall Johnson, Hans Schmidt-Isserstedt, Harold Rome, I Loves You Porgy, Kurt Weill, Langston Hughes, Laszlo Halasz, Laurel Hurley, Lawrence Winters, Lehman Engel, Lost in the Stars, Maria Stader, Marie Powers, Porgy and Bess, Rigoletto, RobertMcFerrin, Spirituals, Swing Low Sweet Chariot, The Red Ball Express, Todd Duncan, Troubled Island, William Grant Still; George Gershwin; Ira Gershwin; DuBose Heywardcountermelody

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Episode 23 – Winters and McFerrin: A Tale of Two Baritones (Black History Month IV)

Today’s episode, the fourth in a sequence honoring African American singers, this one pays tribute to two great baritones, Lawrence Winters (1915-1965) and Robert McFerrin (1921-2006). Winters was a trailblazer on records and on stage at the New York City Opera and in major German opera houses; while McFerrin, the first African American male to sing a major role at the Metropolitan Opera, made his debut in 1955 as Amonasro in Aida three weeks after Marian Anderson made history on the same stage as the first black solo singer to perform there. This episode examines the early life and rise to prominence of each singer; the role that Porgy played in the careers of both singers; and each one’s credentials as a Verdi baritone par excellence. Highlights include an excerpt from William Grant Still’s opera Troubled Island, which premiered at NYCO in 1949, and a memorable cache of spirituals recordings from both singers. Guest aritsts heard on this episode include Todd Duncan, Camilla Williams, Marie Powers, Maria Stader, Adele Addison, Laurel Hurley, and Grace de la Cruz.

Episode 21. Charles Holland (Black History Month II)

February 8, 2020UncategorizedAirborne Symphony, Al Jolson, Après un rêve, Arthur Goldschmidt, Au fond du temple saint, Benny Carter, Charles Gounod, Charles Holland, Cinq mélodies de Venise, Clair de lune, Dennis Russell Davies, Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, En sourdine, Fi-Yer!, Fletcher Henderson, Four Saints in Three Acts, Frank Morgan, Gabriel Faure, George Frideric Handel, Gertrude Stein, Hall Johnson, Harlem Madness, Harry de Groot, Honor Honor, Hullabaloo (1940), Jack P. Loorij, Jacqueline Bonneau, Langston Hughes, Laurie Anderson, Leo Driehuys, Leonard Bernstein, Les pecheurs de perles, Live a-Humble, Marc Blitzstein, Marco Bakker, Morgenlich leuchtend, My Mammy, New Born Again, O Superman, Orchestre de la Société des concerts du Conservatoire, Peanuts Holland, Prepare Me One Body, Ralph Linsey, Robert Shaw, Roland Hayes, Roméo et Juliette, Semele, Spirituals, Talk About a Child That Do Love Jesus, Virgil Thomsoncountermelody

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Today’s episode, the second in my Black History Month series, is a tribute to the extraordinary African American tenor Charles Holland (1909-1987) whose career spanned more than four decades. Early appearances as a vocalist with the band of Luther Henderson and the Hall Johnson Negro Choir led to his Hollywood film debut and to appearances on the Broadway stage. In 1949, frustrated with the lack of career opportunities for an African American tenor, Charles Holland departed for Europe, where he enjoyed a distinguished career. Late in his life he experienced an extraordinary career resurgence through an association with American conductor Dennis Russell Davies, which led to his belated Carnegie Hall solo recital debut in 1982 at the age of 73, as well as serving as the inspiration for Laurie Anderson’s surprise 1981 pop hit, O Superman. Musical excerpts include live and studio recordings over more than 40 years and a wide swath of genres.

Episode 20. Muriel Smith (Black History Month I)

February 2, 2020UncategorizedBali Hai, Black History Month, Bloody Mary, Carmen Jones, Displaced (The DP), Dorothy Fields, Drury Lane Theatre, Geo Kroger, Georges Auric, Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me, Honor Honor, Howard Pollack, Jimmy McHugh, John Huston, Juanita Hall, Lady Thiang, Loulou Gasté, Marc Blitzstein, Moulin Rouge, Muriel Smith, Muriel Smith Sings Negro Spirituals, Orpheus with his Lute, Oscar Hammerstein II, Philips Records, Richard Rodgers, Sojourner Truth, Something Wonderful, South Pacific, Spirituals, The Cradle Will Rock, The King and I, Were You There When They Crucified My Lord?, Zsa Zsa Gaborcountermelody

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This week kicks off my series of Black History Month episodes, in which I pay homage to some less well-remembered African American singers who nonetheless made an enormous impact in the world of music. This week I am honored to bring to you the great mezzo-soprano Muriel Smith (1923-1985) who, among other important contributions, premiered the title role of Carmen Jones on Broadway in 1943. We examine her work in musicals and films as well as pop music and opera. Her eclecticism, her ability to color her voice in a way uniquely suited to the wide range of roles she undertook, as well as her deep connection to text and expression, mark her as an artist of the highest caliber. Featured is a rare 1955 Philips recording of spirituals represents Muriel Smith at her artistic and interpretive peak.

Episode 19. Jennie Tourel Sings Rossini and Poulenc

January 26, 2020UncategorizedÀ Grenade, Allen Rogers, Chanson de Zora, Charles Boyer, Danielle Darrieux, Dany Robin, Fiançailles pour rire, Francis Poulenc, Gioacchino Rossini, Jean Cocteau, Jean Gabin, Jeanne Moreau, Jennie Tourel, Julietta (1953), La petite bohémienne, Les Amants (1958), Louis Malle, Louise de Vilmorin, Madame de..., Max Ophuls, Péchés de vieillesse, Petite mélodie sur la gamme chinoise, Reto Müller, Sins of Old Age, The Earrings of Madame de..., Vittorio de Sicacountermelody

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The wondrous Russian-French mezzo-soprano Jennie Tourel (1900-1973) had a storied career that lasted more than four decades and encompassed both opera and song. In the latter, she was particularly celebrated for her work in the Russian and French repertoire. The 1964 recording Jennie Tourel Sings Rossini and Poulenc features the singer, sounding remarkably fresh in her early sixties, singing songs by Rossini, primarily from his posthumous collection Péchés de vieillesse [Sins of Old Age], as well as Francis Poulenc’s extraordinary 1938 song cycle Fiançailles pour rire [Betrothal for Laughs]. In both series of songs, Tourel’s extraordinary musicianship and commitment to expression serve to illustrate her self-expressed artistic credo: “I wanted to bring my heart to the audience… sing out my heart.”

Episode 18. Elisabeth Söderström Sings Everything

January 16, 2020UncategorizedAlceste, Bo Bergman, Capriccio, Christoph Willibald Gluck, Claude Debussy, Claude Génetay, Clemens Krauss, Divinités du Styx, Édouard Guinand, Elisabeth Soderstrom, Eugene Onegin, François-Louis Gand le Bland du Roullet, Hennes Ord, Janet Baker, Le nozze di Figaro, Lorenzo da Ponte, Morgen Mittag um elf, Neopolitan Mourning Song, Non so più cosa son, Puskay pogibnu ya, Richard Strauss, Schlußszene (Capriccio), Symfoniorkestern Norrköping, Ture Rangström, Ulf Björlin, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Yevgeny Onegin, Пускай погибну яcountermelody

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Elisabeth Söderström, the elegant, vibrant, vulnerable, musically scrupulous, dramatically committed, Swedish soprano (7 May 1927 – 20 November 2009) is celebrated in this episode with an airing of her rare 1972 vocal recital for Swedish EMI which features her in a wide range of musical styles from early Baroque opera to the Swedish composer Ture Rangström, with side trips to Mozart, Gluck, and Debussy. These works buttress vocally sumptuous, dramatically-charged performances of extended scenes from two of her signature roles, Tatyana in Yevgeny Onegin and the Gräfin in Capriccio, representing this beloved artist in her absolute vocal and artistic prime.

Episode 17. O Sole Mio – Peter Schreier

January 12, 2020UncategorizedAm Brunnen vor dem Tore, Arno Billing, Balkanliebe, Billy Rose, Brahms Lullaby, Bruno Hardt-Warden, Carl Bohm, Chianti-Lied, Das alte Lied, Das lila Lied, Der Lindenbaum, Eduardo di Capua, Edward Eliscu, Erik Kahr, Ernesto de Curtis, Ernst Marischka, Es muß ein Wunderbares sein, Franz Liszt, Franz Schubert, Fred Raymond, Fritz Löhner-Beda, Gerhard Winkler, Giovanni Capurro, Great Day, Günther Schwenn, Henry Love, Heute Nacht oder nie, Hilda Löwi, Hilde Loewe-Flatter, Hoch die Gläser hoch das Leben, Johannes Brahms, Kurt Schwabach, Leise erlkingen Glocken von Campanile, Line Renaud, Loulou Gasté, Marcellus Schiffer, Maske in Blau, Maurício Alberto Kaisermann, Mein Mädel hat einen Rosenmund, Michael Kunze, Mischa Spoliansky, Morris Albert, Non ti scordar di me, O Sole Mio, Oskar von Redwitz, Peter Schreier, Peter Schreier singt Volkslieder, Ralph Maria Siegel, Richard Tauber, Romy Schneider, Rudolf Kattnigg, Ruggero Leoncavallo, Schau einer schönen Frau nie zu tief in die Augen, Still wie die Nacht, Vincent Youmans, Wilhelm Müller, Winterreise, Without a Songcountermelody

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The highly-regarded German tenor Peter Schreier, who died in Dresden on Christmas Day after a lingering illness at the age of 84, was particularly celebrated worldwide for his deeply musical performances of Bach, Mozart, and German Lieder. What many might not realize is what a significant popular icon Schreier was, particularly in the former East Germany. This episode celebrates his contribution to die leichte Muse with his 1979 release on Amiga, the pop division of the East German record label Eterna. The episode is supplemented by three selections from Schreier’s enormously appealing 1975 Eterna release, Peter Schreier singt Volkslieder.

Episode 16. Souvenirs – Elly Ameling and Dalton Baldwin

January 5, 2020UncategorizedAfrikaans Wiegeliedjie, Arnold Schoenberg, Benjamin Britten, Brettl-Lieder, Brezariola, Britten Folk Song Arrangements, Charles Ives, Cuatro madrigales amatorios, Dalton Baldwin, De los alamos vengo madre, Drey Minnelieder, Elly Ameling, Emiel Hullebroeck, Emile Vuillermoz, Folk Song Arrangements, Frank Martin, Franz Liszt, Gigerlette, Gioacchino Rossini, Henry Purcell, Jean Sibelius, Joaquin Rodrigo, John Weldon, Joseph Canteloube, La Danza, La derniere valse, Memories, Moeke Dutch Folk Song, Music for a while, O lieb solang du lieben kannst, O waly waly, Oyasumi na sai, Reynaldo Hahn, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Souvenirs, Spring Waters, The Wakeful Nightingale, Unter den Linden, Varen flyktar hastigt, whistling, Yoshinao Nakadacountermelody

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We begin 2020 with a new series of episodes. For the next eight weeks, I will present selections dubbed exclusively from LPs, few if any of which have ever been re-released on CD and which remain barely available on any listening platform for today’s audience. Today’s entry in the Needle Drop series is the marvelously engaging and entertaining 1979 Columbia Masterworks release Souvenirs (M 35119), which features the Dutch soprano Elly Ameling, renowned for her peerless work as an art song recitalist, and the late American pianist Dalton Baldwin (19 December 1931 – 12 December 2019), whose life and legacy we particularly celebrate today. This episode also serves as an early birthday tribute to Elly Ameling, who turns 87 on 8 February 2020.

Episode 15. Hail and Farewell

December 30, 2019UncategorizedAldo Ciccolini, Allee Willis, Amilcare Ponchielli, Andre Previn, Andy Williams, Ann Crumb, Before the Parade Passes By, Beim Schlafengehen, Carol Channing, Cecilia Sisson, Chego de saudade, Chris Lowe, Clydie King, Dalton Baldwin, Daniel Gundlach, Daryl Dragon, David Breitman, Diahann Carroll, Doda Conrad, Dominick Argento, Dusty Springfield, Edgar Leslie, Eduard Mörike, Ekkehard Wlaschiha, Elisabeth Soderstrom, Erlkönig, Ethel Ennis, Francesco Cavalli, Francisco Casanova, Franz Schubert, Fred E. Ahlert, Friedemann Layer, From the Diary of Virginia Woolf, Funny Girl, George Crumb, Gerald English, Heather Harper, Henri Sauguet, Hermit Songs, Hilde Zadek, Honey and Rue, Hugo Wolf, I am not seaworthy, Jackie Moore, Janet Baker, Jean-Christophe Benoît, Jerry Herman, Jessye Norman, Joan Carlyle, João Gilberto, Johann Strauss II, Jörg Demus, Joseph Rouleau, Jules Massenet, Julius Rudel, Kathleen Battle, Komm Hoffnung, Le Cid, Leonore, Ludwig van Beethoven, Marcello Giordani, Margaret Lewis, Marion Delorme, Martin Isepp, Maurice Ravel, Max Jacob, Michel Legrand, Music to Watch Girls By, Neil Tennant, Ode to Billie Joe, Pagliacci, Paul Badura-Skoda, Pet Shot Boys, Peter Schreier, Raymond Leppard, Reconsider Me, Richard Strauss, Rolando Panerai, Sainte, Samuel Barber, Sanford Sylvan, Scott Baker, Show Girl (revue), Sid Ramin, Stéphane Mallarmé, The Captain and Tennille, The Moon Was Yellow, The Music that Makes Me Dance, Theo Adam, Toni Morrison, Toni Tennille, Victoria Clark, Vier letzte Lieder, Visions infernales, What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?, What Have I Done To Deserve This?, Wilma Lipp, Wolfgang Sawallischcountermelody

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We set our sights on the New Year, at the same time giving a backward glance, in mostly reverse chronological order, to those singers and other musicians, whose contributions have immeasurably enhanced our lives. I’ve prepared a whopper of an episode that traverses many genres and styles, but which, as always, remains faithful to the mission of the podcast: to bring you the most interesting and communicative singers. From João Gilberto to Marcello Giordani, from Sanford Sylvan to Rolando Panerai, from Heather Harper to Ann Crumb: they’re all here, with a few surprises sprinkled along the way. Three last-minute entries to the Hail and Farewell sequence are Peter Schreier, Allee Willis, and Jerry Herman, all of whom died in the last week.