The most extensive portrait of the vocal music of Mel Powell under one roof, soprano Phyllis Bryn-Julson and tenor David Spiro traverse virtually the entire output of the this important American composer. From the brilliant Haiku Settings, Powell turns to a small ensemble of instruments and tenor for his prophetic Two Prayer Settings. Returning to the female voice, Settings marks Powell’s re-emergence from an eight-year silence. From here, the Little Companion Pieces (companion’s to Schoenberg’s epochal String Quartet No. 2), Strand Settings (written for Jan de Gaetani), \"Die Violine\" and Levertov Breviary chart one of the great journeys of twentieth century music. The disc ends with the humorous Letter to a Young Composer.
Read more...