Ogloudoglou – Vocal Masterpieces of the Experimental Generation 1960-1990
The 1960s were a period of revolution in classical vocal composition, a time of re-inventing and re-creating the classical voice’s sound world that inspired the generation of composers featured on this album. Spear-headed by such imaginative singers as Cathy Berberian and Michiko Hirayama, and inspired by the simultaneous developments in Early Music, technology and an awareness of world music singing styles, the long-established Bel canto singing tradition was extended in new, imaginative and extraordinarily virtuosic ways.
This collection is widely diverse in style from the simple (yet so complex) simple vocals by the two American composers, to a variety of extended-technique songs by the notoriously modernist Europeans, Kagel, Scelsi, Bussotti, Nono, Berio, and Castliglioni.
Sara Stowe is one of Britain’s most versatile and inventive performers with a repertoire ranging from medieval song to the present day. She began studying as a prize-winning harpsichordist and piano scholar at the Royal College of Music. On leaving she decided to pursue singing and studied in Italy where she sang for Luciano Berio and studied Scelsi’s vocal music with Michiko Hirayama. In Britain Sara’s performances include work with The Academy of Ancient Music, New London Consort, Sirinu, James Wood and the Taverner Consort.
Track Listing
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Giacinto Scelsi:
- Taiagaru No. 4 (2:33) John Cage:
- Sonnekus Giacinto Scelsi:
- Canto del Capricorno No. 8 (2:01) Sylvano Bussotti
- Lachrimae per ogni voce (8:20) Giacinto Scelsi:
- Ogloudoglou [with percussion](3:34) Luciano Berio:
- Sequenza III (7:52) Mauricio Kagel:
- Recitativerie for Singing Harpsichordist (6:30) Luigi Nono:
- La Fabbrica illuminata [with tape](16:28) Niccolò Castiglioni:
- Così Parlò Baldassare (4:36) Morton Feldman:
- Only (1:26) Giacinto Scelsi:
- CKCKC [with mandolin] (3:03)
Reviews
“An ear-stretching collection, funny, disturbing and entrancing by turns. Stowe really believes in this repertoire, and she takes us with her.
” —Graham Rickson
“This is an astonishing display of vocal virtuosity. Of course, there is Berio here, and Cage, but also so much more… dispatched with consummate mastery by Sara Stowe. Stowe manages beautifully the registral demands placed upon her… dispatched with consummate mastery. Wholehearted recommendation.
” —Colin Clarke
“English soprano Sara Stowe is a versatile and inventive musician… Stowe does us a favour, presenting her recital of songs by seminal later-generation high modernists with virtuoso verve. She committedly follows their demanding performance instructions and groundbreaking aesthetics, by the end winning over those who care to listen with her exhilarating musicality.
” —Andrew Timar
“Impressive technical aplomb, fine improvisatory skills and musical relish.
” —Stephen Pettit
“The art of High Modern vocals is special and very demanding. Soprano Sara Stowe shows us how to meet the challenge and excel. Ms. Stowe is a true artist and so each realization convinces and captivates. Those who listen with a marked receptivity are in for a real treat! Bravo!
” —Grego Edwards