Lee Hoiby is widely recognized as one of the most significant composers in the genre of the American art song — a genre to which he has been contributing for more than half a century. His affinity for setting texts of great literary value, and of considerable variety, is evident in the songs recorded here. From the haunting melodies of Winter Song to the tongue-in-cheek drama of Jabberwocky; from the biting ironies of The Message to the sweet simplicity of The Shepherd; and from the densely chromatic textures of Evening to the charming humor of The Serpent—Hoiby’s prodigious gifts for lyricism, atmosphere, and characterization as a song composer are much in evidence in this collection. Exquisitely performed by Ursula Kleinecke-Boyer and Maria Perez-Goodman, this is the only recording available dedicated exclusively to Hoiby’s songs.
Lee Hoiby: Songs for Leontyne: No. 4. Winter Song
Songs for Leontyne: No. 4. Winter Song
Lee Hoiby: Songs for Leontyne: No. 5. In the Wand of the Wind
Songs for Leontyne: No. 1. The Doe
Lee Hoiby: To An Isle in the Water
To An Isle in the Water
Lee Hoiby: An Immorality
An Immorality
Songs for Leontyne: No. 5. In the Wand of the Wind
Songs for Leontyne: No. 5. In the Wand of the Wind
Lee Hoiby: Summer Song
Summer Song
Lee Hoiby: She Tells Her Love
She Tells Her Love
Lee Hoiby: Where the Music Comes From
Where the Music Comes From
Lee Hoiby: The Message
The Message
Lee Hoiby: Songs for Leontyne: No. 3. Autumn
Songs for Leontyne: No. 3. Autumn
Lee Hoiby: Songs for Leontyne: No. 2. Evening
Songs for Leontyne: No. 2. Evening
Lee Hoiby: Twenty-eight Young Men
Twenty-eight Young Men
Lee Hoiby: Three Women: No. 2. Lady of the Harbor
Three Women: No. 2. Lady of the Harbor
Lee Hoiby: always it's Spring
always it's Spring
Lee Hoiby: What If…?
What If…?
Lee Hoiby: Jabberwocky
Jabberwocky
Lee Hoiby: 2 Songs of Innocence
No. 2. The Lamb
No. 1. The Shephed
Lee Hoiby: Songs for Leontyne: No. 6. The Serpent
Songs for Leontyne: No. 6. The Serpent
“Appealing' is the word that kept coming to mind as I listened to this recording...one hears Hoiby's ability to create a memorable vocal melody and his fondness for high, soaring lines. ...This is a most welcome release.”
Click on any of the works listed above for alternative recordings.
Songs for Leontyne: No. 4. Winter Song