Aaaaaaaaahhhh - geek out!

To call the last few days a major geek out is an understatement. I have had the best time delving into about 50 cds I checked out of the library in preparation for teaching an Art Song Literature class. I have enjoyed some old favorites like

Elly Ameling:



Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau



Anne Sofie von Otter:



Olaf Bar




And new favorites such as

Gerald Finley - (wish I could have found an Art Song, but this is a great clip from Doctor Atomic)



Susan Graham:



Thomas Quasthoff:





And have even discovered some new jewels:

Bo Skovhus
(who I had heard about and seen but to whom I had yet to listen)



Solveij Kringelhorn:

Getting Ready

Putting together a fun, interesting and creative recital is a challenge. Really. So-called "Academic" recitals are relatively easy. One must include certain elements in order to fulfill academic requirements. Western European languages must all be represented. Usually these recitals go in chronological order of composition. Each section is united by some element, most commonly the composer, sometimes just the language.

During the course of my student career I put together and performed approximately 10 recitals. (2 undergraduate, 2 Master's, 2 Professional Studies, 4 Doctoral) You would think that I would be more confident in my expertise at this. Alas, you would be wrong!

It is June and my first faculty recital at Clayton State University is in October. The theme is "A Woman's Life and Love" (remind you of Schumann?") The sections will be as follows:

Daughter
Sister
Mother
Lover

Looking forward to writing about each as we go.