From Spoon River
Five poems from Spoon River Anthology by Edgar Lee Masters
set for soprano, cello, and piano
Recorded Performances
Performance Note: Two different performances are available below, featuring different artists' interpretations of the work.
Performance 1
DeVera Bowles, soprano | Erik Anderson, cello | Dianna Anderson, piano
Performance 2
Barbara Bland, soprano | Nadine Deleury, cello | Rebecca Happel, piano
"Then came songs based on five poems from "Spoon River Anthology" by Edgar Lee Masters. Composer Richard Ratner was present for this Michigan premiere of his work. These poems are voices of the dead speaking from the grave, expressing, in succinct and poignant terms, how they lived and died. They are masterful character studies and through them we come to meet these individuals in a profound and intimate way.
"These poems impressed Ratner, and much of what he does musically expresses effectively what is so compelling in the original work. His treatment of the cello and piano parts, played beautifully by Deleury and Happel, is deeply moving, often heart-rending, in "The Hill" and in "Hare Drummer,", light-hearted and almost humorous in "Francis Turner" as he describes how his soul "takes flight" after a kiss; cynical and bitter in "Widow McFarlane," and reverent and mystical in "Faith Matheny". Ratner caught something special with his music." - Dina Soresi Winter, Grosse Pointe News