BERNSTEIN, L.: Songfest / GERSHWIN, G.: An American in Paris (Wolf Trap Opera, National Orchestral Institute Philharmonic, Judd)

An American in Paris is one of Gershwin’s most vivacious works, an orchestral ballet saturated in homesickness and the blues. This recording, however, uses the new 2019 critical edition and offers Gershwin’s original orchestration, unheard for 75 years—leaner, more angular and transparent, it also employs the correct use of the iconic taxi horns, for a new sonic experience. The breezy vitality of Copland’s An Outdoor Overture is balanced by Bernstein’s Songfest—written to celebrate the Bicentennial Year in America, setting the verses of 13 of the country’s poets.

Tracklist

Gershwin, George
National Orchestral Institute Philharmonic (Orchestra)
Judd, James (Conductor)
1An American in Paris (ed. M. Clague)17:08
National Orchestral Institute Philharmonic (Orchestra)
Judd, James (Conductor)
Copland, Aaron
National Orchestral Institute Philharmonic (Orchestra)
Judd, James (Conductor)
2An Outdoor Overture08:57
National Orchestral Institute Philharmonic (Orchestra)
Judd, James (Conductor)
Bernstein, Leonard
O'Hara, Frank - Lyricist
Hughes, Langston - Lyricist
de Burgos, Julia - Lyricist
Ferlinghetti, Lawrence - Lyricist
Stein, Gertrude - Lyricist
Aiken, Conrad - Lyricist
Millay, Edna St. Vincent - Lyricist
Cummings, E. E. - Lyricist
Corso, Gregory Nunzio - Lyricist
Jordan, June - Lyricist
Bradstreet, Anne - Lyricist
Poe, Edgar Allan - Lyricist
Whitman, Walt - Lyricist
Otaño, Kerriann (soprano)
Raven, Taylor (mezzo-soprano)
Reams, Zoie (mezzo-soprano)
McKissick, Alexander (tenor)
Conyers, Joshua (baritone)
Guetti, Patrick (bass)
National Orchestral Institute Philharmonic (Orchestra)
Judd, James (Conductor)
3No. 1. To the Poem03:23
Otaño, Kerriann (soprano)
Raven, Taylor (mezzo-soprano)
Reams, Zoie (mezzo-soprano)
McKissick, Alexander (tenor)
Conyers, Joshua (baritone)
Guetti, Patrick (bass)
National Orchestral Institute Philharmonic (Orchestra)
Judd, James (Conductor)
4No. 2. The Pennycandy Store Beyond the El01:51
Conyers, Joshua (baritone)
National Orchestral Institute Philharmonic (Orchestra)
Judd, James (Conductor)
5No. 3. A Julia de Burgos03:37
Otaño, Kerriann (soprano)
National Orchestral Institute Philharmonic (Orchestra)
Judd, James (Conductor)
6No. 4. To What You Said05:36
Guetti, Patrick (bass)
National Orchestral Institute Philharmonic (Orchestra)
Judd, James (Conductor)
7No. 5. I, too, Sing America - Okay "Negroes"03:50
Reams, Zoie (mezzo-soprano)
Conyers, Joshua (baritone)
National Orchestral Institute Philharmonic (Orchestra)
Judd, James (Conductor)
8No. 6. To my Dear and Loving Husband03:54
Otaño, Kerriann (soprano)
Raven, Taylor (mezzo-soprano)
Reams, Zoie (mezzo-soprano)
National Orchestral Institute Philharmonic (Orchestra)
Judd, James (Conductor)
9No. 7. Storyette H.M.01:54
Otaño, Kerriann (soprano)
Guetti, Patrick (bass)
National Orchestral Institute Philharmonic (Orchestra)
Judd, James (Conductor)
10No. 8. If you can't eat you got to02:25
Otaño, Kerriann (soprano)
Raven, Taylor (mezzo-soprano)
Reams, Zoie (mezzo-soprano)
McKissick, Alexander (tenor)
Conyers, Joshua (baritone)
Guetti, Patrick (bass)
National Orchestral Institute Philharmonic (Orchestra)
Judd, James (Conductor)
11No. 9. Music I Heard With You04:06
Raven, Taylor (mezzo-soprano)
National Orchestral Institute Philharmonic (Orchestra)
Judd, James (Conductor)
12No. 10. Zizi's Lament02:30
McKissick, Alexander (tenor)
National Orchestral Institute Philharmonic (Orchestra)
Judd, James (Conductor)
13No. 11. What Lips My Lips Have Kissed05:00
Reams, Zoie (mezzo-soprano)
National Orchestral Institute Philharmonic (Orchestra)
Judd, James (Conductor)
14No. 12. Israfel04:40
Otaño, Kerriann (soprano)
Raven, Taylor (mezzo-soprano)
Reams, Zoie (mezzo-soprano)
McKissick, Alexander (tenor)
Conyers, Joshua (baritone)
Guetti, Patrick (bass)
National Orchestral Institute Philharmonic (Orchestra)
Judd, James (Conductor)

Total Playing Time: 01:08:51