Brian Asawa - The Complete RCA Recordings (2017)

The American Brian Asawa, who died tragically young in 2016, became one of the world’s foremost countertenors before he was 30, acclaimed for the exceptional size, richness, agility and beauty of his voice. In 1991 he was the first countertenor ever to win the Metropolitan Opera Auditions and soon he was singing with opera companies all over the world. He was also a gifted recitalist and made a notable series of recordings for RCA/BMG. All reissued here in a 5-CD set, they range from Elizabethan Lute Songs to a disc of songs by Ned Rorem and include excerpts from the complete recording of Handel’s opera Serse conducted by Nicholas McGegan, in which BBC Magazine singled out for praise Brian Asawa’s “luscious legato” in the role of Arsamene.

TRACKLIST

CD1
01. Come again, sweet love doth now invite - Brian Asawa
02. His golden locks time hath to silver turn'd - Brian Asawa
03. Flow my tears - Brian Asawa
04. It was a Time when silly bees could speak - Brian Asawa
05. Sorrow, stay! - Brian Asawa
06. Can she excuse my wrongs - Brian Asawa
07. A shepherd in a shade his plaining made - Brian Asawa
08. Time stands still - Brian Asawa
09. Go, crystal tears - Brian Asawa
10. I saw my lady weep - Brian Asawa
11. Away with these self-loving lads - Brian Asawa
12. Now hath Flora robb'd her bow'rs - Brian Asawa
13. Author of light, revive my dying sprite - Brian Asawa
14. Come let us sound with melody the praises - Brian Asawa
15. Oft have I sigh'd for him that hears me not - Brian Asawa
16. Turn back, you wanton flyer - Brian Asawa
17. This merry pleasant Spring - Brian Asawa
18. There were three ravens - Brian Asawa
19. The dark is my delight - Brian Asawa
20. Willow Song - Brian Asawa
21. Miserere my Maker - Brian Asawa
22. Where the bee sucks - Brian Asawa
23. O Death, rock me asleep - Brian Asawa

CD2
01. Le Voyageur, Op. 18 No. 2 - Brian Asawa
02. Nocturne, Op. 43, No. 2 - Brian Asawa
03. Arpège, Op. 76, No. 2 - Brian Asawa
04. Cinq mèlodies de Venise, Op. 58: En Sourdine - Brian Asawa
05. Pavane, Op. 50 - Brian Asawa
06. 6 Gedichte von W. Goethe: Das Veilchen, Op. 18 No. 5 - Brian Asawa
07. 9 Goethe Lieder: Mailied, Op. 6 No. 2 - Brian Asawa
08. 9 Goethe Lieder: 9 Goethe Lieder: Aus "Claudine von Villa-Bella," Op. 6 No. 5 - Brian Asawa
09. 9 Goethe Lieder: Aus "Erwine und Elmire," Op. 15 No. 4 - Brian Asawa
10. Suite-Vocalise, Op. 41, No. 2 - Brian Asawa
11. Cançao do Amor, W546 - Brian Asawa
12. Canções Típicas Brasileiras, W159: VIII. Pálida Madona - Brian Asawa
13. Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5, W389: I. Ária - Brian Asawa
14. 12 Songs, Op. 14: I Wait for Thee (Ya zhdu tebia) Op. 14. no. 1 - Brian Asawa
15. As Fair As Noon (Ona, kak polden' khorosha) Op. 14 No. 9 - Brian Asawa
16. 6 Songs, Op. 38: To Her (K nei) Op. 38 No. 2 - Brian Asawa
17. 6 Songs, Op. 4: In the Silent Night (V molchan'i nochi tainoi) Op. 4 No. 3 - Brian Asawa
18. Songs, Op. 34: Vocalise, No. 14 - Brian Asawa

CD3
01. More Than a Day: More Than a Day: I. Do I Love You?: 1. More Than a Look - Brian Asawa
02. More Than a Day: More Than a Day: I. Do I Love You?: 2. More than a Word - Brian Asawa
03. More Than a Day: More Than a Day: I. Do I Love You?: 3. More than a Room - Brian Asawa
04. More Than a Day: More Than a Day: I. Do I Love You?: 4. More than a Mirror - Brian Asawa
05. More Than a Day: More Than a Day: I. Do I Love You?: 5. More than a Day - Brian Asawa
06. More Than a Day: More Than a Day: I. Do I Love You?: 6. More than a Rock - Brian Asawa
07. More Than a Day: More Than a Day: I. Do I Love You?: 7. More than the Air - Brian Asawa
08. More Than a Day: More Than a Day: II. My Brain is Littered - Brian Asawa
09. More Than a Day: More Than a Day: III. Oh Love-See How the Flowers Maste - Brian Asawa
10. Water Music: Prologue (Variation 1) - Jeffrey Kahane
11. Water Music: The Tune-Calm and Sad - Jeffrey Kahane
12. Water Music: Water Music: Variation 2 - Jeffrey Kahane
13. Water Music: Water Music: Variation 3 - Jeffrey Kahane
14. Water Music: Variation 4 - Jeffrey Kahane
15. Water Music: Water Music: Variation 5 - Jeffrey Kahane
16. Water Music: Water Music: Variation 6 - Jeffrey Kahane
17. Water Music: Water Music: Variation 7 - Jeffrey Kahane
18. Water Music: Variation 8 - Jeffrey Kahane
19. Water Music: Water Music: Variation 9 - Jeffrey Kahane
20. From An Unknown Past: From An Unknown Past: The Lover in Winter, Plaineth for the Spring - Jeffrey Kahane
21. From An Unknown Past: From An Unknown Past: Hey Nonny No! - Jeffrey Kahane
22. From An Unknown Past: From An Unknown Past: My Blood So Red - Jeffrey Kahane
23. From An Unknown Past: From An Unknown Past: Suspiria - Jeffrey Kahane
24. From An Unknown Past: The Miracle - Jeffrey Kahane
25. From An Unknown Past: From An Unknown Past: Tears - Jeffrey Kahane
26. From An Unknown Past: From An Unknown Past: Crabbed Age and Youth - Jeffrey Kahane
27. Encountertenor: Countertenor's Conundrum - Brian Asawa
28. Encountertenor: Encountertenor: The trouble with trebles in trousers… - Brian Asawa

CD4
01. Nel silenzio comune: Nel silenzio comune: Introduzione-Grave - Arcadian Academy;Nicholas McGegan
02. Nel silenzio comune: Corrente - Arcadian Academy;Nicholas McGegan
03. Nel silenzio comune: Nel silenzio comune: Minuetto - Arcadian Academy;Nicholas McGegan
04. Nel silenzio comune: Nel silenzio comune: [Recitativo accompagnato:] Nel silenzio comune - Brian Asawa;Arcadian Academy;Nicholas McGegan
05. Nel silenzio comune: Aria-Largo: Nel dormir l'anima mia - Brian Asawa;Arcadian Academy;Nicholas McGegan
06. Nel silenzio comune: Nel silenzio comune: [Recitativo:] E pure, e pure voi dormite - Brian Asawa;Arcadian Academy;Nicholas McGegan
07. Nel silenzio comune: [Aria-] Andante: Pupile care - Brian Asawa;Arcadian Academy;Nicholas McGegan
08. Nel silenzio comune: Nel silenzio comune: [Recitativo:] Ma no, dormi, ben mio - Brian Asawa;Arcadian Academy;Nicholas McGegan
09. Nel silenzio comune: Nel silenzio comune: Aria: Se negasti vegliando - Brian Asawa;Arcadian Academy;Nicholas McGegan
10. Nel silenzio comune: [Recitativo:] Filli, Filli crudele destati - Brian Asawa;Arcadian Academy;Nicholas McGegan
11. Nel silenzio comune: Nel silenzio comune: [Aria-] A tempo giusto: Acciò che rimbombe intorno al ben mio - Brian Asawa;Arcadian Academy;Nicholas McGegan
12. Ferma omai: Ferma omai: And[ante] moderato: Ferma omai - Brian Asawa;Arcadian Academy;Nicholas McGegan
13. Ferma omai: Ferma omai: [Recitativo]: Ov'unque il guardo giri - Brian Asawa;Arcadian Academy;Nicholas McGegan
14. Ferma omai: Ferma omai: And[ante] giusto: Va' che i lamenti miei - Brian Asawa;Arcadian Academy;Nicholas McGegan
15. Clori vezzosa, e bella: Clori vezzosa, e bella: Rec[itati]vo: Clori vezzosa, e bella - Brian Asawa;Arcadian Academy;Nicholas McGegan
16. Clori vezzosa, e bella: Clori vezzosa, e bella: Aria-And[ante] Lento: Volgi lo sguardo - Brian Asawa;Arcadian Academy;Nicholas McGegan
17. Clori vezzosa, e bella: Clori vezzosa, e bella: Rec[itati]vo: Vivo, vivo penando - Brian Asawa;Arcadian Academy;Nicholas McGegan
18. Clori vezzosa, e bella: Aria-Allegro: Sì, ben mio, sì - Brian Asawa;Arcadian Academy;Nicholas McGegan
19. Piango, sospiro, e peno: Piango, sospiro, e peno: Arioso: Piango, sospiro e peno - Brian Asawa;Arcadian Academy;Nicholas McGegan
20. Piango, sospiro, e peno: Piango, sospiro, e peno: Aria: Ah' crudele/Non ti basta - Brian Asawa;Arcadian Academy;Nicholas McGegan
21. Piango, sospiro, e peno: Piango, sospiro, e peno: [Recitativo:] Sì, sì che in cener disciolto il cor vedrai - Brian Asawa;Arcadian Academy;Nicholas McGegan
22. Piango, sospiro, e peno: Piango, sospiro, e peno: Aria: Povero core/Dopo la morte - Brian Asawa;Arcadian Academy;Nicholas McGegan
23. Piango, sospiro, e peno: Piango, sospiro, e peno: Recitativo: Dunque tormenti e scherni - Brian Asawa;Arcadian Academy;Nicholas McGegan
24. Piango, sospiro, e peno: Piango, sospiro, e peno: Arioso: L'amarti o Filli - Brian Asawa;Arcadian Academy;Nicholas McGegan
25. Non sò qual più m' ingombra: Non sò qual più m' ingombra: Allegro-Rec[itati]vo: Non sò qual più m'ingombra - Brian Asawa;Arcadian Academy;Nicholas McGegan
26. Non sò qual più m' ingombra: Moderato: Che die sarà - Brian Asawa;Arcadian Academy;Nicholas McGegan
27. Non sò qual più m' ingombra: Non sò qual più m' ingombra: [Recitativo:] E nato, è nato, al fin mi dice - Brian Asawa;Arcadian Academy;Nicholas McGegan
28. Non sò qual più m' ingombra: Non sò qual più m' ingombra: Aria Pastorale-Moderato: Nacque col Gran Messia - Brian Asawa;Arcadian Academy;Nicholas McGegan

CD5
01. Serse, HWV 40, Act 1: Overture - The Hanover Band;Nicholas McGegan
02. Serse, HWV 40, Act 1: (Allegro) - The Hanover Band;Nicholas McGegan
03. Serse, HWV 40, Act 1: (Gigue) - The Hanover Band;Nicholas McGegan
04. Serse, HWV 40, Act 1 (Highlights): Serse, HWV 40, Act 1: No. 1 Recitativo accompagnato "Frondi tenere" - The Hanover Band;Nicholas McGegan;Judith Malafronte
05. Serse, HWV 40, Act 1: No. 2 Arioso: "Ombra mal fu" - The Hanover Band;Nicholas McGegan;Judith Malafronte
06. Serse, HWV 40, Act 1: Recitativo: "Siam giunti, Elviro" - The Hanover Band;Nicholas McGegan;Brian Asawa (Arsemene);David Thomas (Elviro)
07. Serse, HWV 40, Act 1: No. 3 Sinfonia e Recitativo: "Sento un soave concento" - The Hanover Band;Nicholas McGegan;David Thomas (Elviro);Brian Asawa (Arsamene)
08. Serse, HWV 40, Act 1: No. 4 Arioso e Recitativo: "O voi, che penate!" - The Hanover Band;Nicholas McGegan;Jennifer Smith (Romilda)
09. Serse, HWV 40, Act 1: Recitativo: "Arsamene!"-"Mio Sire!" - The Hanover Band;Nicholas McGegan;Judith Malafronte (Serse);Brian Asawa (Arsemene)
10. Serse, HWV 40, Act 1: No. 5 Aria: "Va godendo vezzoso e bello" - The Hanover Band;Nicholas McGegan;Jennifer Smith (Romilda)
11. Serse, HWV 40, Act 1: Recitativo: "Quel canto a un bel amor" - The Hanover Band;Nicholas McGegan;Judith Malafronte (Serse);Brian Asawa (Arsemene)
12. Serse, HWV 40, Act 1: No. 6 Aria: "lo le diro che l'amo" - The Hanover Band;Nicholas McGegan;Judith Malafronte (Serse)
13. Serse, HWV 40, Act 1: Aria: " Tu le dirai che l'ami" - The Hanover Band;Nicholas McGegan;Brian Asawa (Arsemene)
14. Serse, HWV 40, Act 1: Recitativo: "Arsamene!"-"Romilda" - The Hanover Band;Nicholas McGegan;Brian Asawa (Arsemene);Jennifer Smith (Romilda);Lisa Milne (Atlanta)
15. Serse, HWV 40, Act 1: No. 7 Aria: "Si, si, mio ben, si, si" - The Hanover Band;Nicholas McGegan;Lisa Milne (Atlanta)
16. Serse, HWV 40, Act 1: Recitativo: "Presto, signor" - The Hanover Band;Nicholas McGegan;Judith Malafronte (Serse);Brian Asawa (Arsemene);Jennifer Smith (Romilda)
17. Serse, HWV 40, Act 1: No. 8 Aria: "Meglio in voi col mio partire" - The Hanover Band;Nicholas McGegan;Brian Asawa (Arsemene)
18. Serse, HWV 40, Act 1: Recitativo: "Eccoti Il foglio, Elviro" - The Hanover Band;Nicholas McGegan;Brian Asawa (Arsamene);David Thomas (Elviro)
19. Serse, HWV 40, Act 1: No. 15 Arietta: "Signor, signor, lasciate far a me" - The Hanover Band;Nicholas McGegan;David Thomas (Elviro)
20. Serse, HWV 40, Act 1: No.16 Aria: "Non so, se sia la speme" - The Hanover Band;Nicholas McGegan
21. Serse, HWV 40, Act 2: Recitativo: "E pazzo affe!" - The Hanover Band;Nicholas McGegan;Brian Asawa (Arsemene);David Thomas (Elviro)
22. Serse, HWV 40, Act 2: No. 32 Aria: "Quella che tutta fe" - The Hanover Band;Nicholas McGegan;Brian Asawa (Arsemene)
23. Serse, HWV 40, Act 2: No. 33 Coro di marinari: "La virtute sol potea" - The Hanover Band;The Hanover Chorus;Nicholas McGegan
24. Serse, HWV 40, Act 2: Recitativo: "Ariodate!" - The Hanover Band;Nicholas McGegan;Judith Malafronte (Serse);Dean Ely (Ariodate)
25. Serse, HWV 40, Act 2: Coro di marinari: "La virtute sol potea" - The Hanover Band;The Hanover Chorus;Nicholas McGegan
26. Serse, HWV 40, Act 2: No. 34 Ariosa: "Per dar fine alla mia pena" - The Hanover Band;Nicholas McGegan;Brian Asawa (Arsemene)
27. Serse, HWV 40, Act 2: Recitativo: "Arsamene, ove andante?" - The Hanover Band;Nicholas McGegan;Judith Malafronte (Serse);Brian Asawa (Arsemene)
28. Serse, HWV 40, Act 2: No. 35 Aria: "Si, la voglio e la otterro!" - The Hanover Band;Nicholas McGegan;Brian Asawa (Arsemene)
29. Serse, HWV 40, Act 3: Sinfonia - The Hanover Band;Nicholas McGegan
30. Serse, HWV 40, Act 3: Recitativo: "Sono vani i pretesti" - The Hanover Band;Nicholas McGegan;Brian Asawa (Arsemene);David Thomas (Elviro);Jennifer Smith (Romilda);Lisa Milne (Atlanta)
31. Serse, HWV 40, Act 3: No. 44 Arietta: "No, no, se tu mi sprezzi" - The Hanover Band;Nicholas McGegan;Lisa Milne (Atlanta)
32. Serse, HWV 40, Act 3: Recitativo: "Ecco in segno di fe" - The Hanover Band;Nicholas McGegan;Judith Malafronte (Serse);Brian Asawa (Arsemene);David Thomas (Elviro);Jennifer Smith (Romilda)
33. Serse, HWV 40, Act 3: No. 45 Aria: "Per rendermi beato" - The Hanover Band;Nicholas McGegan;Judith Malafronte (Serse)
34. Serse, HWV 40, Act 3: Recitativo: "Ubbidiro al mio re?" - The Hanover Band;Nicholas McGegan;Brian Asawa (Arsemene);Jennifer Smith (Romilda)
35. Serse, HWV 40, Act 3: No. 46 Aria: "Amor, tiranno Amor" - The Hanover Band;Nicholas McGegan;Brian Asawa (Arsemene)
36. Serse, HWV 40, Act 3: Recitativo: "Come gia vi accennammo" - The Hanover Band;Nicholas McGegan;Judith Malafronte (Serse);Dean Ely (Ariodate)
37. Serse, HWV 40, Act 3: No. 47 Aria: "Del ciel d'amore" - The Hanover Band;Nicholas McGegan;Dean Ely (Ariodate)
38. Serse, HWV 40, Act 3: Recitativo: "Il suo serto rifiuto!" - The Hanover Band;Nicholas McGegan;Judith Malafronte (Serse);Jennifer Smith (Romilda);Sue Bickley (Amastre)
39. Serse, HWV 40, Act 3: No. 48 Aria: "Cagion son io del mio dolore" - The Hanover Band;Nicholas McGegan;Sue Bickley (Amastre)
40. Serse, HWV 40, Act 3: Recitativo: "Romilda infida, e di me pensa ancora?" - The Hanover Band;Nicholas McGegan;Brian Asawa (Arsemene);Jennifer Smith (Romilda)
41. Serse, HWV 40, Act 3: No. 49 Duetta: "Troppo oltraggi la mia fede" - The Hanover Band;Nicholas McGegan;Brian Asawa (Arsemene);Jennifer Smith (Romilda)
42. Serse, HWV 40, Act 3: No. 53 Coro: "Ritorna a noi la calma" - The Hanover Band;The Hanover Chorus;Nicholas McGegan