Search - Andrea Marcovicci :: December Songs

December Songs loses it's chill..

Stephen Jackson | Texas, USA | 01/10/2005

(2 out of 5 stars)

"I stumbled across the score to this song cycle returning from a competition and thought that it was worth a look. I have been a fan of Yeston's music for some time and this set of songs looked to be an interesting possibility as part of my recital series. I got home, played through the vocal lines and texts, and was very excited to read the program notes. When I realized it had been comissioned by Andrea Marcovicci, I began to research the piece more and came to this recording. IF you are a fan of Marcovicci, you will doubtlessly enjoy this recording as she is gently emotive and consistent throughout. However, if you are hoping for a truly evocative and dramatic reading of a score that seems to hold SO much promise, I think you will be disappointed. The keys are changed to allow the music to rest in the bottom of Marcovicci's range, and she takes suspiciously copious liberties with the rhythms (and at times pitch) of the songs. Additionally, although Marcovicci's explanation of the text is of a womaning wandering the streets after having lost a love that she cannot get over, the cycle is luckily not gender biased and could fit quite easily into the rep of a good baritone. Particularly, By the River and What a Relief seem to beg for a more dramatic interpretation. The cycle itself? Lovely and evocative. This recording? Unfortunately lack-luster and uninvolved.

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It Sings To Me

Bruce Coville | Syracuse, NY | 04/03/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm not as well trained as the other reviewer who commented on this recording. That said, this is something I have listened to over and over with great enjoyment. I find Marcovicci's renderings of the songs to be strong and moving."