Voices of Women
From Unknown to Renowned
“The tone and weight of her voice are a perfect fit for “Green Finch and Linnet Bird.” She’s also confident and robust in Libby Larsen’s “Bucking Bronco.””
Listen to the full album now on Spotify
Project Backstory
This album began as an idea in a workshop soprano and album producer Heather Fetrow attended called The Twenty-first Century Singer with Soprano Susan Mohini Kane in Los Angeles in the summer of 2016.
The focus of the album grew further to encompass the goal of honoring female composers as a result of collaboration with renowned soprano Dr. Julianne Baird in Philadelphia in December of 2016. These events coincided with the Women's March in Washington D.C. the next month in January of 2017, lending a sense of timeliness to the project.
The focus of an album of songs by women composers and other songs about women is unique and brings to the fore the vast social change the world is undergoing with respect to women in our society, both in the United States and elsewhere around the world.
Each piece addresses this separately from different points of view, in some cases from a previous age where the standards of women's expectations were very different than today.
The World Premiere of ''Still'' by outstanding and innovative composer Paola Prestini, sung as a duet by sisters, brings the album's concept full circle with a song composed for and dedicated to this album.
Also included are two piano pieces performed by Mila Henry, both by female composers, ''Light'' by Iranian composer Gity Razaz and ''No. 2'' from ''Nine Short Piano Pieces'' composed by Virginia Seay.
Track List
Barbara Strozzi
Che si puo fare?
Jules Massenet
Obeissons quand leur voix appelle (Gavotte)
Samuel Barber
St. Ita’s Vision from Hermit Songs
Paola Prestini
Still (World Premiere Recording)
Gity Razaz
Light
Douglas Moore
The Silver Aria (Gold is a fine thing)
Fanny Mendelssohn
Sehnsucht
Stephen Sondheim
Green Finch and Linnet Bird
Francis Poulenc
Chanson d’Orkenise from Banalites
Virginia Seay
Nine Short Piano Pieces: No. 2
Sergei Rachmaninoff
Vocalise, Op. 34, No. 14
G. F. Handel
Oh! Had I Jubal’s Lyre
Amy Beach
O Mistress Mine
Amy Beach
Fairy Lullaby
Libby Larsen
Bucking Bronco
Cecile Chaminade
Plaintes d’Amour
Lerner and Loewe
I could have danced all night from My Fair Lady
Heather Fetrow
Pilgrim’s Hymn
Press & Praise
Interviews
Reviews
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
This album is a particularly happy moment. The musicianship of the performers is excellent
I had the opportunity to hear this album in a pre-release concert, as well as to have the CD. The widespread marginalization of women in our current (and past!) society is increasingly apparent. For lovers of classical music and women, this album is a particularly happy moment. The musicianship of the performers is excellent—soprano voices that are strong, yet rich, and at times light and humorous. Mila, the pianist, beautifully aligns her piano playing with the music and the singers, and also offers a serialist composition by her Great Grandmother-in-law. The composers come from the 16th century (Barbara Strozzi) to 2017 (Paolo Prestini), and also include men who wrote songs about particular women. All in all these artists have created a wonderful experience of the known and unknown. Five stars!
Mary E. Wheat, M.D. via Amazon.com
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
I highly recommend it!
This album is not only timely but well-rendered. As our society increasingly recognizes the forgotten accomplishments of women, this album fills an important gap in the social record. The artists featured on this album are professional and, above all, humane. By this, I mean that all of the music is passionately and lovingly curated. This is a project of the heart, not just the mind. Ms. Fetrow's soprano is clear and expressive. Ms. Henry's piano is sublime! Also, the inclusion of Ms. Fetrow's sisters (Katy Fetrow and Rebecca Obert) shows a commitment to the project of showcasing talented women. Katy Fetrow's artwork aids in audience understanding and Rebecca Obert's voice compliments Ms. Fetrow's beautifully!
The album is a mix of pieces from the past and contemporary times. The commissioned piece highlights up-and-coming talent whereas the pieces from the past show a rich history of music by and about women that have not been fully recognized until now. The album ranges from serious pieces about love and relationships to lighthearted songs of musical theater. My favorite piece was "Still" (the commissioned piece). It is haunting and Ms. Fetrow's voice helps to instill an otherworldly quality to it. In general, this is a worthy project and a gorgeous album. I highly recommend it!
Julie Mainka via Amazon.com
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