Jonathan Miller, Lucia Lin, Randall Hodgkinson, Marc Ryser - Songs for a New Century (2024) [Hi-Res]

Tracklist

01. Songs Without Words, Op. 109, MWV Q 34
02. Songs Without Words, Book 3, Op. 38: No. 1 in E-Flat Major, MWV U 121 (Arr. for Cello & Piano by Alfredo Piatti)
03. Songs Without Words, Book 5, Op. 62: No. 1 in G Major, MWV U 185 "May Breeze" (Arr. for Cello & Piano by Alfredo Piatti)
04. Songs Without Words, Book 7, Op. 85: No. 1 in F Major, MWV U 150 (Arr. for Cello & Piano by Alfredo Piatti)
05. Songs Without Words, Book 1, Op. 19b: No. 1 in E Major, MWV U 86 (Arr. for Cello & Piano by Alfredo Piatti)
06. Songs Without Words, Book 2, Op. 30: No. 3 in E Major, MWV U 104 (Arr. for Cello & Piano by Alfredo Piatti)
07. Operetta for Violin & Cello: I. Prologue. Semplice, Calling
08. Operetta for Violin & Cello: II. Aria I - Moody
09. Operetta for Violin & Cello: III. Recitativo
10. Operetta for Violin & Cello: IV. Aria II
11. Operetta for Violin & Cello: V. Finale. Hue and Cry. Vivo
12. 3 Chorales for Cello & Piano: No. 1, Angels Bending Near the Earth
13. 3 Chorales for Cello & Piano: No. 2, In Death’s Dark Vale
14. 3 Chorales for Cello & Piano: No. 3, O Sapienta
15. Cello Sonata No. 2 "Songs Without Words": I. Among the Trees
16. Cello Sonata No. 2 "Songs Without Words": II. Forest at Night
17. Cello Sonata No. 2 "Songs Without Words": III. Barcarolle

The singing quality of string instruments ties together SONGS FOR A NEW CENTURY, a program featuring both world premiere recordings of new music commissioned for the artists and world premiere recordings of masterpieces by Mendelssohn.

The program opens with a set of Mendelssohn’s Songs Without Words, beginning with the Opus 109 written by the composer for cello and piano. It continues with a set of arrangements for cello and piano, some recorded for the first time, by the 19th century cellist Alfredo Piatti, a personal friend of Mendelssohn’s upon whose cello Jonathan Miller plays. Gabriela Lena Frank’s Operetta for violin and cello, the composer writes, expands upon Mendelssohn’s concept of the “song without words,” creating opera without words that evokes scenes and characters through singing music for the duo of violin (Lucia Lin) and cello. Scott Wheeler’s second cello sonata, Songs Without Words, was inspired by Miller’s singing cello tone. Finally, Judith Weir’s Three Chorales for cello and piano meditate on religious poetry, departing from hymn texts –– and in the third Chorale, a melody from Hildegard of Bingen –– in a triptych that evokes the human condition.

Operetta, Three Chorales, and Cello Sonata #2: Songs Without Words were commissioned by Jonathan Miller and Diane Fassino for the Boston Artists Ensemble.

Judith Weir composer
Gabriela Lena Frank composer
Scott Wheeler composer
Felix Mendelssohn composer

Jonathan Miller cello
Lucia Lin violin
Randall Hodgkinson piano
Marc Ryser piano

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