Oh Shenandoah

Oh Shenandoah

I have always loved this melody, and in particular this version by superstar baritone Bryn Terfel. “Oh Shenandoah” (also called simply “Shenandoah” or “Across the Wide Missouri”) is a traditional American folk song dating to the...
Pelageya sings “Under Willow”

Pelageya sings “Under Willow”

When I was asked to write a blog about my favorite vocal pieces I had some doubts:  Am I a good story teller? Is my English good enough to tell it the way I’d like? How do I choose just four pieces out of so many favorites? Actually, what are the criteria anyway...
Danny Boy

Danny Boy

Arguably the most well known song ever, Danny Boy has swiftly become a very favorite of mine since I became intimately acquainted with it a few seasons ago. I mentioned in a previous post that pianist Peter Dugan and I will be launching our album A Silent Night: A WWI...
Sir Granville Bantock:  Song to the Seals

Sir Granville Bantock: Song to the Seals

I am in a dilemma. I am doing a program about the British Isles at Juilliard on January 11. Later on in the year, I am doing a concert called Four Islands at Caramoor and Merkin Hall on March 12 and 14. The four islands in question are Madagascar, Cuba, Manhattan—and...
Doug and Jack Wallin’: Pretty Saro

Doug and Jack Wallin’: Pretty Saro

This song is an old one, even by the standards of classical art song. “Pretty Saro” is a folk ballad first notated in England the early 1700’s, though, as is the way with these things, no one knows how long it had been sung before that. After the 18th century it was...