But Yesterday is Not Today: The American Art Song from 1927-1972 (1996)

But Yesterday is Not Today is a survey of the American art song over a period of almost fifty years. Eight composers are represented here, the well known (Samuel Barber, Aaron Copland, Paul Bowles, and Roger Sessions) and the not-so-famous (Theodore Chanler, John Duke, Israel Citkowitz, and Robert Helps). The choice of composers and songs illustrates the variety and vitality of a genre that in a previous generation could count among its exponents Leontyne Price, Phyllis Curtin, and Jennie Tourel. The songs encompass the broadest spectrum of emotions couched in musical language that mirrors their joy, sorrow, sadness, nostalgia, and humor. They are sensitively interpreted by two of the genre’s most authoritative exponents, baritone Donald Gramm and soprano Bethany Beardslee. The accompanying 32-page program booklet by Ned Rorem contains one of the best available essays on American song as well as brief critiques of the composers and the songs, all written in his lucid and elegant style.

In peachfuzz's own words: Although this record may not depict the entire avantgarde kitsch of that time, there is a strong undertone of modernity that helped usher in the future of contemporary music. One of the reviewers at Amazon.com aptly stated:

As for the songs themselves, they shouldn't be oversold. The general idiom is very conservative and often colloquial. Quite a few numbers are pop ditties in disguise, the musical equivalent of light verse. Others reflect folk tradition or hark back to earnest Victorian platform songs. It was hard for American composers to escape these derivative influences, which is why Charles Ives stood out so distinctively (he isn't represented here, however). Even if one cannot claim that American composers found a medium for the art song that equals the French chanson or German lied, this CD gives us a refreshing and teling look in the mirror.

Tracklist

Theodore Chanler / Leonard Feeney, poet
1. Children 1:05
2. Once Upon a Time 1:57
3. Rose 2:36
4. Moo Is a Cow 2:55

Theodore Chanler
5. Thomas Logge 1:30

Paul Bowles
6. Once a Lady Was Here 2:39

Paul Bowles / Jane Bowles, poet
7. Song of an Old Woman 2:41

John Duke / Edward Arlington Robinson, poet
8. Richard Cory 2:27
9. Luke Havergal 4:31
10. Miniver Cheevy 5:14

Israel Citkowitz / James Joyce, poet
11. Strings in the Earth and Air 1:26
12. When the Shy Star Goes Forth in Heaven 2:42
13. O, It Was Out by Donnycarney 0:58
14. Bid Adieu 2:06
15. My Love Is in a Light Attire 1:20

Aaron Copland / e. e. cummings, poet
16. Song 1:49

Roger Sessions / James Joyce, poet
17. On The Beach at Fontana 2:13

Theodore Chanler / Archibald MacLeish, poet
18. These, My Ophelia 2:54

Samuel Barber / James Agee, poet
19. Sure on This Shining Night 2:44

Robert Helps / James Purdy, poet
20. Running Sun


Bethany Beardslee (soprano) & Donald Gramm (baritone)
Donald Hassard and Robert Helps (piano)

New World Records 80567