Search - Samuel Barber, William Bolcom, Leonard Bernstein :: Marilyn Horne - I Will Breathe A Mountain ~ Songs of Barber, Bernstein & Bolcom / Martin Katz, Tokyo String Quartet

Horne brings these wonderful masterpieces to life!

07/17/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Throughout the Barber, Bolcom and Bernstein, Marilyn Horne uses her ability to combine technical definition with artistic movement and expansion. Having had the opportunity to see her perform this literature live was an emotionally elevating experience. The way Horne and Katz have reworked a few of the Berstein pieces brings new life and perspectuve to these already wonderful pieces. I highly recommend this recording for the casual classical listener, as well as, for the student that enjoys learning from a master through their art."

Exceptionally moving

10/16/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is AMERICAN SONGS at their most moving and emotional best, not to mention with great melody. Unlike a lot of American song literature (not broadway type, but "serious classical art songs"), these songs are actually quite beautiful, melodic, and can touch the heart of the listener easily. There is no strain to enjoy them. There is a bit of "sameness" between them, which is my only complaint about this recording; one piece starts to sound like another, especially if you are not listening carefully while listening. Even then, it is still very lovely. It has been mentioned that Horne is now far past her prime, and that may be, but even far past her prime she is far better than most singers half her age. There is still vibrancy, life, and depth to her voice. It communicates on a very deep level. Martin Katz, her life long accompanist, is, as usual, a revelation as an accompanist. Unlike people think, the accompanist just doesn't play in the background, he is a very vital part of making a performance work. Accompaning singers is a very new art form, and many performers of earlier ages simply had very bad accompanist. With Gerald Moore we started to have people who knew how to support the singer, actually adding to the performance giving it depth and helping the singer shine. Now we are so used to good accompanist, and are so accustomed to their high level of performance, it is very easy to forget what they add. Katz knows Horne well, and is fully aware of when she is having troubles supporting a phrase, or when she is in best voice. He gives so much to her awesome performance through his very sensitive way of playing this music. I would recommend this for anyone to buy: fans of modern art songs, fans of Marilyn Horne, and simply fans of good singing."