Thomas Hampson's American Song; Part Two: War and the Spirit

St. Paul, Minn. — Thomas Hampson chose Minnesota Bluff Country to begin his "Song of America" tour.

His program knit together texts by Walt Whitman and Tennessee Williams alongside songs originating as poems by E.A. Robinson and Langston Hughes, among others.

Hampson arranged his music coloristically and thematically rather than chronologically. That freedom allowed Hampson to expand more fully upon several of our national preoccupations.

This section of the recital begins with two songs set to text by one of America's most profound voices, poet Walt Whitman.

Following is a gripping telling of the horrors of World War I by the American composer Charles Ives, "In Flanders Fields."

The set concludes with more Whitman in the hands of Leonard Bernstein.

War and the Spirit:

W. H. Neidlinger - Memories of Lincoln

Charles Naginski - Look Down Fair Moon

Charles Ives - In Flanders Fields

Elinore Remick Warren - God Be in my Heart

Virgil Thomson - The Divine Image

Leonard Bernstein - To What You Said

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This recital was recorded by Cameron Wiley at Somsen Auditorium in Winona on July 9, 2009.

Guests

• Thomas Hampson: American baritone Thomas Hampson enjoys a singular career as a recitalist, opera singer and recording artist, and maintains an active interest in teaching, music research and technology. He has performed in all of the world's most important concert halls and opera houses with many of today's most renowned singers, pianists, conductors and orchestras; he is one of the most respected, innovative and sought-after soloists performing today. With his ongoing "Song of America" project he is considered the "ambassador" of American song.
• Craig Rutenberg: Pianist Craig Rutenberg has worked at many of the great opera houses, accompanying Frederica von Stade, Erie Mills, Sumi Jo, Olaf Bar, Stanford Olsen, Roberta Peters, and Regina Crespin. Mr. Rutenberg can be heard on the fortepiano on the recording of 'Le Nozze di Figaro' featuring Thomas Hampson as the Count and has recorded songs to texts by Walt Whitman with Mr. Hampson for Angel/EMI.