Bethany Beardslee is renowned as one of the great lyric sopranos of the twentieth century, and the inspiration for dozens of composers who wrote specifically for her voice. Accompanied by pianists Richard Goode and Lois Shapiro, Ms. Beardslee's performances of lieder by Brahms, Schumann and Schubert display her exquisite artistry.
USC Professor of Music and Journalism Tim Page writes: "Her flexible, expressive voice, with its silvered timbre and warmly caressing middle range, was suited not only to the premieres and first American performances she sang (by composers ranging from Schoenberg to Stravinsky to Milton Babbitt) but also to the Romantic repertory."
These recordings, from 1984 and 1986, have been remastered by Grammy award winning engineer Adam Abeshouse.
Reviews:
"Goode makes beautiful work of Brahm’s ebullient piano textures, and the synergy between performers results in effortless rubato. It is this kind of dynamic interplay that makes for truly timeless lieder performances.” - American Record Guide
“If you’ve held off discovering Beardslee because of her modern repertoire, this is a good chance to appreciate what a great singer she was, and if you already love her in everything she did, it’s a must-have disc.” - The Art Music Lounge
“Beardslee reveals herself to be a sensitive and appropriate interpreter of these Romantic-ear masters. Well accompanied by the fine pianists Richard Goode and Lois Shapiro, as Beardslee teases out the subtle nuances and effervescent rhythmic feeling of these composers, particularly so on Franz Schubert’s bridging work between the Classical and Romantic eras.” - theWholeNote
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Franz Schubert
Seligkeit
Gretchen am Spinnrade
Der Einsame
An die Nachtigall
Waldesnacht
Die Gefangenen Sänger
An die Musik
Robert Schumann
Windmung
Der Nußbaum
Kommen und Scheiden
Ich sende einen Gruss
Mignon
Röselein
Der Schatzgräber
Johannes Brahms
Wir Wandelten
Sonntag
Der Tod, das ist die kühle Nacht
An die Nachtigall
Unbewegte laue Luft
Botschaft
BRIDGE 9504