by Paul Gruber | Jul 27, 2017 | Song of the Day
Lena Horne developed into one of America’s most unique singers, but she didn’t start out that way. From her Cotton Club debut (at the age of 16) through her galley years as one of MGM’s first black stars, Horne was required to be glamorous and unexpressive, a sort of...
by Paul Gruber | Jul 26, 2017 | Song of the Day
Shortly after the 1940 Nazi invasion of France, Francis Poulenc was asked to write incidental music for a light drama by Jean Anouilh, Léocadia. It starred the celebrated French actress and singer Yvonne Printemps, and Poulenc took advantage of her presence in the...
by Paul Gruber | Jul 25, 2017 | Song of the Day
When Mary Martin died in 1990, the headline of her New York Times obituary called her “the first lady of musicals.” Probably now unknown by anyone younger than 40, Martin was, in her time, one of the most famous performers in the United States, and the creator of two...
by Paul Gruber | Jul 24, 2017 | Song of the Day
Ella Fitzgerald sang the way the rest of us breathe. Her vocal production, phrasing, diction and interpretive choices were so natural and effortless that it’s easy to take her work for granted. A natural talent who had little if any formal musical training, she was...
by Amy Burton | Jul 21, 2017 | Song of the Day
Henry Purcell’s Evening Hymn has always moved me to tears, even though I am more of a “this world” person in my own spirituality. Perhaps because of that, or in spite of it, this song touches me deeply, as it takes us through the last thoughts of a person who is...
by Amy Burton | Jul 20, 2017 | Song of the Day
I’m one lucky singer to be married to such a gifted song composer as John Musto, so I hope you’ll indulge me as I include one of his songs for this blog. Choosing one Musto song out of so many feels a bit like Sophie’s choice. I love them all. But…there is one song...
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