Album Notes

Since 2001, Anna Dagmar has rapidly become known from New York all the way to Stockholm as a virtuosic pianist, prolific composer, and engaging vocalist. Her recent EP, with producer Ben Wittman (Lucy Kaplansky, The Story), was named a Top Album of 2006 in Collected Sounds Magazine and was awarded two Honorable Mentions in the Unisong International Competition.

It was the continuous prodding, however, from musical peers, dedicated fans and well-known performers such as Theo Bleckmann, that convinced Dagmar to release her sheet music, complete with an accompaniment CD. The Anna Dagmar Songbook features 31 unique vignettes, with memorable vocal melodies and gorgeous piano textures. There is also a condensed version with jazz-style leadsheets, making Dagmar’s music accessible to professionals, amateurs and fans alike.

At the Songbook Release concert, vocalists Deadra Hart, Rebecca Comeford and Misty Ann Sturm rendered interpretations as diverse as their musical backgrounds. From traditional art song to cabaret, Broadway and jazz, these performers have appeared at venues including Lincoln Center and The Hague, and have been featured soloists with the Chicago Symphony, Utah Opera Company and Cincinnati Pops.

Anna Dagmar’s music is serious listening that is still light on the ears; comparable to the genre-crossing sounds of Stephen Sondheim and Leonard Bernstein. More importantly, her new songbook makes a timeless contribution to New York’s vibrant cultural community.

\"Anna Dagmar is not just a songwriter. She\'s a composer.\"
- Leslie Mendelson, fellow musician and leader of Emma Peel