Notes and Editorial Reviews
Kathleen Battle initially made her considerable reputation on the operatic stage, but quickly went on to become a premier recitalist and a vibrant interpreter of a wide variety of musical styles. CLASSIC KATHLEEN BATTLE - A PORTRAIT is an overview of the dynamic soprano's career that emphasizes her remarkable versatility. Her extraordinary technical control is shown to great effect in works by Handel and Bach, and her crystal clear readings of Mozart's "Laudate Dominum" and "Alleluja" leave no doubt as to why she's considered one of the leading exponents of his work. She moves with confidence and grace through traditional folksongs from Brazil, Chile, and Catalonia and exhibits pure vocal beauty in selections by Fauré, Dvorák, and Mahler.
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The disc boasts an impressive roster of guest stars and also offers several fine new recordings: a delicately rendered "O mio babbino caro" from Puccini's 'Gianni Schicchi,' moving a cappella versions of the spirituals "Fix Me Jesus" and "Angels Watching Over Me," and a sensuous account of Duke Ellington's "Prelude To A Kiss" that features the marvelous piano accompaniment of Kenny Barron. What ultimately binds this varied collection is Battle's radiant voice and consummate artistry. Read less
Works on This Recording
1.
Gianni Schicchi: O mio babbino caro by Giacomo Puccini
Performer:
Ken Noda (Piano),
Kathleen Battle (Soprano)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1918; Italy
Length: 2 Minutes 31 Secs.
Language: Italian
2.
Samson, HWV 57: Let the bright Seraphim by George Frideric Handel
Performer:
Kathleen Battle (Soprano),
Wynton Marsalis (Trumpet)
Conductor:
John Nelson
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Orchestra of St. Luke's
Period: Baroque
Written: by 1743; London, England
Length: 5 Minutes 34 Secs.
Language: English
3.
Dormi Jesus by Traditional
Performer:
Kathleen Battle (Soprano),
Christopher Parkening (Guitar)
Length: 2 Minutes 20 Secs.
Language: Latin
Notes: Arranged: Jacqueline B. Hairston
4.
Canción de cuna by Traditional
Performer:
Romero Lubambo (Guitar),
Grover Washington Jr. (Soprano Saxophone),
Ira Coleman (Double Bass),
Kathleen Battle (Soprano),
Cyro Baptista (Percussion)
Length: 2 Minutes 46 Secs.
Language: Spanish
5.
Mythodea: 9th movement by Vangelis
Performer:
Kathleen Battle (Soprano),
Vangelis (Electric Keyboard),
Jessye Norman (Soprano)
Conductor:
Blake Neely
Orchestra/Ensemble:
London Metropolitan Orchestra,
Greece National Opera Choir
Period: 20th Century
Written: 2001
Length: 5 Minutes 6 Secs.
6.
Vesperae solennes de confessore, K 339: Laudate Dominum by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Performer:
Kathleen Battle (Soprano)
Conductor:
Robert Sadin
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Orchestra,
Chorus
Period: Classical
Written: 1780; Salzburg, Austria
Length: 3 Minutes 18 Secs.
Language: Latin
7.
Messiah, HWV 56: Rejoice greatly, o daughter of Zion by George Frideric Handel
Performer:
Kathleen Battle (Soprano)
Conductor:
Robert Sadin
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Orchestra
Period: Baroque
Written: 1742; London, England
Length: 4 Minutes 20 Secs.
Language: English
8.
Fix me, Jesus by Traditional
Performer:
Kathleen Battle (Soprano)
Length: 3 Minutes 12 Secs.
Language: English
9.
Requiem, Op. 48: Pie Jesu by Gabriel Fauré
Performer:
Kathleen Battle (Soprano)
Conductor:
Robert Sadin
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1888 rev 1893; France
Length: 3 Minutes 15 Secs.
Language: Latin
10.
El noy de la mare by Traditional
Performer:
Kathleen Battle (Soprano),
Christopher Parkening (Guitar)
Period: Romantic
Written: Spain
Length: 2 Minutes 40 Secs.
Notes: This selection is sung in Catalan.
11.
El desembre congelat by Traditional
Performer:
Christopher Parkening (Guitar),
Kathleen Battle (Soprano)
Written: Spain
Length: 1 Minutes 37 Secs.
Notes: This selection is sung in Catalan.
12.
Prelude to a Kiss by Edward "Duke" Ellington
Performer:
Kenny Barron (Piano),
Kathleen Battle (Soprano)
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1938; USA
Length: 5 Minutes 13 Secs.
Language: English
13.
Ode for the Birthday of Queen Anne, HWV 74: Eternal source of light by George Frideric Handel
Performer:
Wynton Marsalis (Trumpet),
Kathleen Battle (Soprano)
Conductor:
John Nelson
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Orchestra of St. Luke's
Period: Baroque
Written: 1713; London, England
Length: 2 Minutes 57 Secs.
Language: English
14.
Exsultate jubilate, K 165 (158a): Alleluia by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Performer:
Kathleen Battle (Soprano)
Conductor:
André Previn
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Orchestra of St. Luke's
Period: Classical
Written: 1773; Milan, Italy
Length: 2 Minutes 42 Secs.
Language: Latin
15.
Angels watching over me by Traditional
Performer:
Kathleen Battle (Soprano)
Written: USA
Length: 1 Minutes 16 Secs.
Language: English
16.
Symphony no 4 in G major: 4th movement, Das himmlische Leben by Gustav Mahler
Performer:
Kathleen Battle (Soprano)
Conductor:
Lorin Maazel
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1899-1900; Austria
Length: 10 Minutes 49 Secs.
Language: German
17.
Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen, BWV 51: no 1, Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen by Johann Sebastian Bach
Performer:
Wynton Marsalis (Trumpet),
Kathleen Battle (Soprano)
Conductor:
John Nelson
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Orchestra of St. Luke's
Period: Baroque
Written: 1730; Leipzig, Germany
Length: 4 Minutes 37 Secs.
Language: German
18.
Symphony no 9 in E minor, Op. 95/B 178 "From the New World": 2nd movement, Largo by Antonín Dvorák
Performer:
Kathleen Battle (Soprano),
Christian McBride (Double Bass),
Marlon Graves (Guitar),
James Carter (Bass Clarinet),
Cyrus Chestnut (Piano)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1893; USA
Length: 4 Minutes 15 Secs.
Language: English
Notes: This arrangement is titled "Going Home."
Sound Samples
O mìo babbino caro from Gianni Schicchi
Let the Bright Seraphim from Samson, HWV 57 (Voice)
Movement 9 from Mythodea - Music for the NASA Mission: 2001 Mars Odyssey (Excerpt)
Laudate Dominum from Vesperae solennes de confessore, K. 339 (Voice)
Rejoice Greatly from Messiah, HWV 56 (Voice)
Pie Jesu from the Requiem, Op. 48 (Voice)
El Noi de la Mare (The Son of the Virgin)
El desembre congelat (December's cold winds were stilled)
Eternal Source of Light Divine (Ode for the Birthday of Queen Anne, HWV 74) (Voice)
Alleluja from Exsultate, jubilate, KV. 158a (Voice)
IV. Sehr behaglich. "Wir geniessen die himmlischen Freuden" from Symphony No. 4 in G Major (Excerpt)
1. Aria from Cantata No. 51 "Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen", BWV 51
Going Home from "Largo" of Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95 " From the New World" (Voice)
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