Notes and Editorial Reviews
JUBILATION
•
Jubilant Sykes (bar);
1
Christopher Parkening (gtr)
•
EMI 57591 (62:13)
YORK
Jubilation.
TRADITONAL
The water is wide
(arr. Grusin).
1
Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child
(arr. Russ).
1
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class="ARIAL12bi">He’s got the whole world in His hands
(arr. Bonds).
1
America
(arr.Lester).
Granadinas
(arr. Russ).
1
MYERS
The Deer Hunter:
Cavatina.
PANTOJA
Ciranda bambolé.
1
VILLA-LOBOS
Modinha.
1
PANTOJA
Lamento.
1
ALMEIDA
Caçador.
1
CARLEVARO
Campo.
GUSTAVINO
(arr.Russ)
La rosa y el sauce.
1
COPLAND
(arr. Russ)
Old American Songs:
At the River; Ching-a-ring Chaw.
1
RODRIGO
Cançoneta.
DE ANCHIETA
(arr. Russ)
Con amores, la mi madre.
1
DE LA TORRE
(arr. Russ)
Pampano verde.
1
CASTELNUOVO-TEDESCO
Platero and I:
La Arrulladora.
DOMENICONI
Koyunbaba:
Moderato; Presto
Friends and musical partners for years, Christopher Parkening and Jubilant Sykes have recorded a recital by turns intimate, tender, and “jubilant.” I don’t normally review CDs of vocal music, so I have to admit I’d never heard of Sykes. I’m happy to report that he’s a technically sophisticated singer with a beautifully controlled, flexible voice who is obviously devoted to creating the perfect presentation for each song. Sensitively accompanied by Parkening, he sings American spirituals and songs, as well as a colorful selection of South American and Spanish music. His version of
Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child
is very free, and sounds improvised in the manner of a fine jazz singer. The full dramatic potential of the text is movingly communicated by Syke’s varied tone and dynamics.
Ching-a-ring Chaw
’s exuberant tempo provides a lively contrast to the slower spirituals: that, plus its vision of a bright future in the Promised Land will make you want to rise up singing Hallelujah. The four Brazilian songs recall the musical world of
Black Orpheus
, a movie with an exceptional score—
Lamento
, an ethereal vocalise, is especially beautiful. Sykes sings
Granadinas
with an ardent, passionate intensity: although the guitar part incorporates familiar flamenco patterns, Sykes doesn’t mimic the unique, raw timbre of native flamenco singers.
Con amores
and
Pampano
are eloquent nuggets from the treasure trove of early 15th-century Spanish music; their melodic appeal is timeless.
Parkening plays several solos. His contributions are polished and musical, as befits one of the world’s most famous guitarists.
Jubilation
begins in Renaissance mode, shifts into folk or new age, and finally breaks out in an ecstatic ostinato, ringing with happy exaltation
. Cavatina
is suitably romantic, “La Arrulladora,” from
Platero and I
, steeped in dignified melancholy and sweet nostalgia, and
America
stately and serene. The recital closes with
Koyunbaba
(this is the same performance reviewed in
Fanfare
30: 1), an extroverted, energetic piece with Turkish roots.
This is a disc that can be enjoyed by connoisseurs of fine singing, as well as by lovers of the classical guitar. It’s a well-designed and beautifully performed program, so if the repertoire tempts, by all means indulge yourself.
FANFARE: Robert Schulslaper
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Works on This Recording
1.
Jubilation by Andrew York
Performer:
Christopher Parkening (Guitar)
Period: 20th Century
Written: USA
Venue: Capitol Studios, Hollywood, California
Length: 4 Minutes 47 Secs.
2.
The water is wide by Traditional
Performer:
Jubilant Sykes (Baritone),
Christopher Parkening (Guitar)
Venue: Capitol Studios, Hollywood, California
Length: 3 Minutes 19 Secs.
Notes: Arranger: Dave Grusin.
3.
Sometimes I feel like a motherless child by Traditional
Performer:
Christopher Parkening (Guitar),
Jubilant Sykes (Baritone)
Written: USA
Venue: Capitol Studios, Hollywood, California
Length: 3 Minutes 43 Secs.
Notes: Arranger: Patrick Russ.
4.
He's got the whole world in His hands by Traditional
Performer:
Jubilant Sykes (Baritone),
Christopher Parkening (Guitar)
Written: USA
Venue: Capitol Studios, Hollywood, California
Length: 2 Minutes 2 Secs.
Notes: Arranger: Margaret Bonds.
5.
The Deer Hunter: Cavatina by Stanley Myers
Performer:
Christopher Parkening (Guitar)
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1979
Venue: Capitol Studios, Hollywood, California
Length: 3 Minutes 34 Secs.
6.
Ciranda Bambolé by Rique Pantoja
Performer:
Christopher Parkening (Guitar),
Jubilant Sykes (Baritone)
Period: 20th Century
Venue: Capitol Studios, Hollywood, California
Length: 2 Minutes 54 Secs.
7.
Serestas (14) for Voice and Piano, W 216: no 5, Modinha by Heitor Villa-Lobos
Performer:
Christopher Parkening (Guitar),
Jubilant Sykes (Baritone)
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1923-1943; Brazil
Venue: Capitol Studios, Hollywood, California
Length: 2 Minutes 3 Secs.
8.
Lamento by Rique Pantoja
Performer:
Jubilant Sykes (Baritone),
Christopher Parkening (Guitar)
Period: 20th Century
Venue: Capitol Studios, Hollywood, California
Length: 3 Minutes 30 Secs.
9.
O Caçador by Laurindo Almeida
Performer:
Christopher Parkening (Guitar),
Jubilant Sykes (Baritone)
Period: 20th Century
Written: Brazil
Venue: Capitol Studios, Hollywood, California
Length: 1 Minutes 56 Secs.
10.
La rosa y el sauce by Carlos Guastavino
Performer:
Christopher Parkening (Guitar),
Jubilant Sykes (Baritone)
Period: 20th Century
Written: Argentina
Venue: Capitol Studios, Hollywood, California
Length: 2 Minutes 38 Secs.
Notes: Arranger: Patrick Russ.
11.
America "My country, 'tis of thee" by Traditional
Performer:
Christopher Parkening (Guitar)
Period: Romantic
Written: by 1831; USA
Venue: Capitol Studios, Hollywood, California
Length: 2 Minutes 40 Secs.
Notes: Arranger: Phillip Lester.
12.
Old American Songs, Set 2: At the River by Aaron Copland
Performer:
Jubilant Sykes (Baritone),
Christopher Parkening (Guitar)
Period: 20th Century
Venue: Capitol Studios, Hollywood, California
Length: 2 Minutes 26 Secs.
Notes: Arranger: Patrick Russ.
13.
Old American Songs, Set 2: Ching-a-ring Chaw by Aaron Copland
Performer:
Jubilant Sykes (Baritone),
Christopher Parkening (Guitar)
Period: 20th Century
Venue: Capitol Studios, Hollywood, California
Length: 1 Minutes 26 Secs.
Notes: Arranger: Patrick Russ.
14.
Cançoneta for Violin and Strings by Joaquin Rodrigo
Performer:
Christopher Parkening (Guitar)
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1923; Spain
Venue: Capitol Studios, Hollywood, California
Length: 2 Minutes 33 Secs.
15.
Con amores, la mi madre by Juan de Anchieta
Performer:
Christopher Parkening (Guitar),
Jubilant Sykes (Baritone)
Period: Renaissance
Written: Spain
Venue: Capitol Studios, Hollywood, California
Length: 2 Minutes 51 Secs.
Notes: Arranger: Patrick Russ.
16.
Pámpano verde by Francisco de la Torre
Performer:
Jubilant Sykes (Baritone),
Christopher Parkening (Guitar)
Period: Renaissance
Written: Spain
Venue: Capitol Studios, Hollywood, California
Length: 2 Minutes 40 Secs.
Notes: Arranger: Patrick Russ.
17.
Platero and I, Op. 190: La Arrulladora by Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco
Performer:
Christopher Parkening (Guitar)
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1960; USA
Venue: Capitol Studios, Hollywood, California
Length: 4 Minutes 22 Secs.
18.
Granadinas by Anonymous
Performer:
Jubilant Sykes (Baritone),
Christopher Parkening (Guitar)
Venue: Capitol Studios, Hollywood, California
Length: 3 Minutes 47 Secs.
Notes: Arranger: Patrick Russ.
19.
American Preludes (5) for Guitar: Campo by Abel Carlevaro
Performer:
Christopher Parkening (Guitar)
Period: 20th Century
Venue: Capitol Studios, Hollywood, California
Length: 3 Minutes 26 Secs.
20.
Konyunbaba, Op. 19: Moderato by Carlo Domeniconi
Performer:
Christopher Parkening (Guitar)
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1985
Notes: This selection is a medley which includes "Konyunbaba, Op. 19: Moderato" by Carlo Domeniconi (1947 - ) and "Konyunbaba, Op. 19: Presto" by Carlo Domeniconi (1947 - ).
Sound Samples
Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child
He's Got The Whole World In His Hands
America (My Country 'Tis Of Thee)
La Arrulladora (From Platero And I)
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