AMERICA SINGS!

 

AJ America, mezzo-soprano

Roland Peelman, piano

Art Song Canberra

Wesley Music Centre, Forrest 19 November

 

Reviewed by Len Power

 

Exploring the changing world of American art song, “America Sings!” was a fascinating journey that focussed on composers like Stephen Foster, known as the “Father of American Music”, through foreign composers that visited America such as Gustav Mahler, who brought a German influence, and Australia’s Peggy Glanville-Hicks as well as contemporary American composers like Charles Ives and Taylor Swift.

The mezzo-soprano, AJ America, is a performer, conductor and creative producer. She is the Artistic Director and founder of Luminescence Chamber Singers and Children’s Choir and currently serves as Chair of the Minister’s Creative Council.

Roland Peelman and A J America

Pianist, Roland Peelman, has been active in Australia for over 30 years as a conductor, pianist, artistic director and mentor to singers, composers and musicians.  He has been the Artistic Director of the Canberra International Music Festival since 2015.

The program commenced with two songs by Stephen Foster, “Beautiful Dreamer” and “Hard Times Come Again No More”.  A J America’s rich mezzo-soprano gave these songs a comforting warmth.  Her clear diction made every word count.

The program of many contrasting songs was a good showcase for America’s fine vocal ability.  Highlights from the first half of the program included “Songs To The Dark Virgin” by Florence Price and Charles Ives’ electrifying “Majority” which was given a strongly dramatic and winning performance by America. Peelman’s breath-taking accompaniment to this work included moments where, not just his fingers, but his whole arm had to be used on the keyboard!

Roland Peelman playing Charles Ives' "Majority"

The second half of the program commenced with Peggy Glanville-Hicks’ haunting “Thirteen Ways Of Looking At a Blackbird”, followed by the edgy “Five Elegies” by Hans Eisler, a life-long collaborator with Berthold Brecht. The two very different works were sung well by America.

A J America

After the songs by Eisler, it seemed a natural step to two songs by Kurt Weill, “Dirge For Two Veterans” from the poem by Walt Whitman and the sublime “Speak Low”. America sang this with a sensitivity that added a welcome dimension to this well-known song.

The program finished with “The Last Great American Dynasty”, a 2020 song by Taylor Swift. America and Peelman gave this a performance that was both witty and colourful, bringing this highly stimulating program to a close.

 

Photos By Peter Hislop

 

Len Power's reviews are also broadcast on Artsound FM 92.7 in the ‘Arts Cafe’ and ‘Arts About’ programs and published in his blog 'Just Power Writing' at https://justpowerwriting.blogspot.com/.