Lieder and Song Archives - Page 4 of 4

Amores, Amores: Filipa van Eck and Albert Combrink perform Latin American music by Alvarez and others

Albert Combrink2009-08-14T21:03:09+02:00

Following our successful trip to Mozambique presenting Portuguese language music, Filipa and I have extended the Villa-Lobos portion of the programme to include a broad spectrum of Latin American gems. Amongst music from Cuba, Brazil and Argentina, the strains of Spain and Portugal are weaved in, reflecting not only their erstwhile colonial power and influence, but also the roots of the music from Latin America.

Our programme includes the famous and very popular “La Partida” (The Farewell) by Marcello Alvarez (1833?-1898). This beautiful song shows off the dramatic and vocal range of [read more…]

Amores, Amores: Filipa van Eck and Albert Combrink perform Latin American music by Alvarez and othersAlbert Combrink2009-08-14T21:03:09+02:00

Try Me, Good King: Libby Larsen Song Cycle in Recital with Judith Kellock (Soprano) and Albert Combrink (Piano)

Albert Combrink2009-07-26T20:02:16+02:00

Libby Larsen’s Song Cycle “Try Me, Good King” is a group of songs drawn from the final letters and gallows speeches of the first five wives of Henry VIII. Conceived as much as operatic “scenas” as a song cycle, these songs provide the ideal vehicle for American soprano Judith Kellock, Professor of Singing at Cornell University. Kellock and I will performing this cycle at the Baxther Theatre in Cape Town on Monday 3 August 2009, at 13H00.

Other works in the programme include South African composer Peter Louis van [read more…]

Try Me, Good King: Libby Larsen Song Cycle in Recital with Judith Kellock (Soprano) and Albert Combrink (Piano)Albert Combrink2009-07-26T20:02:16+02:00

Heggie Songs in Recital with Judith Kellock (Soprano) and Albert Combrink (Piano)

Albert Combrink2009-07-24T20:55:07+02:00

“Dead Man Walking”, Jake Heggie’s first opera, received international acclaim and has been performed in many opera houses internationally, including the New York City Opera, Cincinnati Opera, Austin Lyric Opera, and others. It will make its Cape Town debut on October 16, 22 and 24 (PG 16N) in a production by Cape Town Opera. Heggie has written over 150 songs, and American Soprano Judith Kellock and I will be performing some of these in a recital entitled “Paper Wings” at the Baxter Concert Hall, Monday 3 August at 13h00. [read more…]

Heggie Songs in Recital with Judith Kellock (Soprano) and Albert Combrink (Piano)Albert Combrink2009-07-24T20:55:07+02:00

Les donneurs de sérénades: Louise Howlett and Albert Combrink perform Fauré at Kirstenbosch

Albert Combrink2009-07-18T20:55:22+02:00

Louise and I perform two glorious French songs by Gabriel Fauré "Après un rêve" and "Mandoline" atht eKirstenbosch Classical Chamber Music Series. An analysis of the songs reveals us, as performers, to be the ones who "offer the serenade".

Les donneurs de sérénades: Louise Howlett and Albert Combrink perform Fauré at KirstenboschAlbert Combrink2009-07-18T20:55:22+02:00

Schoenberg to Sondheim: Moonlight Serenade with Louise Howlett and Albert Combrink

Albert Combrink2009-07-15T07:22:54+02:00

On 19 July 2009 Louise Howlett and I will be performing in the Kirstenbosch Chamber Music Breakfast Concert Series. Our programme reflects Louise’s trademark milti-genre approach to songs inspired by Moonlight. The programme includes songs by Arnold Schoenberg, Faure, Mozart, Bizet, Dvorak, Michel Legrand, and Stephen Sondheim.

The idea of one singer encompassing styles from Mozart to Bernstein strikes some as unusual, but when one respects song for what they are, instead of evaluating them on a system of classification, one arrives at some interesting insights. My work [read more…]

Schoenberg to Sondheim: Moonlight Serenade with Louise Howlett and Albert CombrinkAlbert Combrink2009-07-15T07:22:54+02:00

Peter Louis van Dijk’s “Four American Songs” in recital with Judith Kellock and Albert Combrink

Albert Combrink2009-07-14T09:38:05+02:00

In our upcoming concerts in Cape Town (Baxter Concert Hall, 3 August, 13h00) and Port Elizabeth on 6 August, American Soprano Judith Kellock and I will be performing a song cycle by South African composer Peter Louis van Dijk. The “Four American Songs”, set to poems by Meggan Moorhead and Sara Teasdale, is a substantial work presenting major challenges to both singer and pianist. In the composer’s list of works are many choral works, but a relatively small body of work for Voice and Piano. “Three Medieval Love Songs”, “Beyond” and “Stardrift: Four Songs” appear to be [read more…]

Peter Louis van Dijk’s “Four American Songs” in recital with Judith Kellock and Albert CombrinkAlbert Combrink2009-07-14T09:38:05+02:00

Samuel Barber Songs: In Recital With Judith Kellock (Soprano) and Albert Combrink

Albert Combrink2009-07-09T18:16:31+02:00

I am preparing a group of recitals of American Art-songs with American soprano Judith Kellock, which will include a selection of songs by Samuel Barber (1910-1982). The challenge for the pianist is, of course, the difficult piano writing. As Judith Kellock and I have not yet rehearsed our recital programme, I can not comment on the symbiosis between singer and accompanist in these songs. But it is a recital for which I can’t wait. Judith Kellock’s recording of Barber Songs has been highly acclaimed [read more…]

Samuel Barber Songs: In Recital With Judith Kellock (Soprano) and Albert CombrinkAlbert Combrink2009-07-09T18:16:31+02:00

Bachianas Brasileiras #5: Creating a concert version of the score

Albert Combrink2009-06-22T20:35:32+02:00

Preparing a recording of this work for Voice and Piano turned out to be more complicated than anticipated. Creating a performance version required exploration of not only other arrangements, but a thorough examination of what we as artists, had to contribute.

Bachianas Brasileiras #5: Creating a concert version of the scoreAlbert Combrink2009-06-22T20:35:32+02:00

Villia-Lobos: Bachianas Brasileiras #5 – recordings, arrangements and research resources

Albert Combrink2009-06-22T20:31:30+02:00

There are many different arrangements of Villa-Lobos' Bachianas Braisleiras #5 in print and in recorded media. Here is a selection of Youtube clips of versions in different styles, genres and voice-types.

Villia-Lobos: Bachianas Brasileiras #5 – recordings, arrangements and research resourcesAlbert Combrink2009-06-22T20:31:30+02:00

Bachianas Brasileiras #5 Aria (Cantilena) text and translation

Albert Combrink2009-06-22T20:25:01+02:00

Bachianas Brasileiras #5 Aria (Cantilena) Text by Ruth Valadares Corrêa (who also sang its World Premiere in 1938)

Tarde uma nuvem rósea lenta e transparente.
Sobre o espaço, sonhadora e bela!
Surge no infinito a lua docemente,
Enfeitando a tarde, qual meiga donzela
Que se apresta e a linda sonhadoramente,
Em anseios d’alma para ficar bela
Grita ao céu e a terra toda a Natureza!
Cala a passarada aos seus tristes queixumes
E reflete o mar toda a Sua riqueza…
Suave a luz da lua desperta agora
A cruel saudade que ri e chora!
Tarde uma nuvem rósea lenta e transparente
Sobre o espaço, sonhadora e bela!

English translation:

Evening, a rosy, translucent [read more…]

Bachianas Brasileiras #5 Aria (Cantilena) text and translationAlbert Combrink2009-06-22T20:25:01+02:00