This CD is reissued by ArkivMusic.
Notes and Editorial Reviews
The conventional view of the countertenor voice is that it is cool, disembodied, sexless. This stereotype is challenged by the Japanese-American singer Brian Asawa, whose voice is notably even, coloured by well-controlled vibrato, and not lacking in warmth. And the assumptions, conscious or unconscious, on which the stereotype may rest are called into question by the main work on this disc, a setting of homoerotic verses (if not overtly so) by Jack Larson. Certainly More Than a Day is nothing if not expressive, confirming the pre-eminence of the veteran American Ned Rorem among current practitioners of the art of setting English words to memorable melodic lines. However, From an Unknown Past conforms to another stereotype, the association
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of the countertenor voice with the English Renaissance, being a sequence of neat miniature settings of texts from that period. Both cycles also reveal Rorem’s talent for orchestration – as does Water Music, a concerto grosso in variation form with stand-out parts for violin and clarinet but effective solo writing all round. Fine playing by the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, under the pianist-conductor Jeffrey Kahane, prompts regret that more of Rorem’s little-known orchestral music was not added to boost the ungenerous playing time.
Performance: 5 (out of 5), Sound: 5 (out of 5)
-- Anthony Burton, BBC Music Magazine
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Works on This Recording
1.
More Than a Day: no 1, Do I Love You by Ned Rorem
Performer:
Brian Asawa (Countertenor)
Conductor:
Jeffrey Kahane
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: USA
Length: 25 Minutes 4 Secs.
2.
More Than a Day: no 2, My Brain is Littered by Ned Rorem
Performer:
Brian Asawa (Countertenor)
Conductor:
Jeffrey Kahane
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: USA
Length: 6 Minutes 23 Secs.
Language: English
4.
Water Music by Ned Rorem
Conductor:
Jeffrey Kahane
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: by 1999; USA
Length: 14 Minutes 33 Secs.
6.
From an Unknown Past: no 2, Hey Nonny No! by Ned Rorem
Performer:
Brian Asawa (Countertenor)
Conductor:
Jeffrey Kahane
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1951; USA
Length: 1 Minutes 25 Secs.
Language: English
7.
From an Unknown Past: no 3, My Blood So Red by Ned Rorem
Performer:
Brian Asawa (Countertenor)
Conductor:
Jeffrey Kahane
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1951; USA
Length: 1 Minutes 1 Secs.
Language: English
8.
From an Unknown Past: no 4, Suspiria by Ned Rorem
Performer:
Brian Asawa (Countertenor)
Conductor:
Jeffrey Kahane
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1951; USA
Length: 0 Minutes 19 Secs.
Language: English
9.
From an Unknown Past: no 5, The Miracle by Ned Rorem
Performer:
Brian Asawa (Countertenor)
Conductor:
Jeffrey Kahane
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1951; USA
Length: 2 Minutes 2 Secs.
Language: English
10.
From an Unknown Past: no 6, Tears by Ned Rorem
Performer:
Brian Asawa (Countertenor)
Conductor:
Jeffrey Kahane
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1951; USA
Length: 1 Minutes 42 Secs.
Language: English
11.
From an Unknown Past: no 7, Crabbed Age and Youth by Ned Rorem
Performer:
Brian Asawa (Countertenor)
Conductor:
Jeffrey Kahane
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1951; USA
Length: 1 Minutes 31 Secs.
Language: English
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