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Biographies
Recent Performances and
Reviews
Programs
Calendar
Gallery
Recordings
Links and Audio
Auskunft auf Deutsch
Contact
New from Delos -
New Love Must Rise: Selected Songs of Margaret Ruthven Lang, Vol. II
Upcoming February 2012
New Love Must Rise: Selected Songs of Margaret Ruthven Lang, Vol. II
Upcoming February 2012
Delos Blog:
"Getting to Know Margaret Ruthven
Lang"
Naxos Blog on Sequenza21:
"An Interview with Fletcher DuBois,
Great Nephew of Margaret "Blossy"
Lang
Reviews:
"Throughout the disc, I had the impression that this recording was a labour of love for tenor Donald
George and pianist Lucy Mauro...George’s and Mauro’s care and dedication in performing and bringing
these songs to the general public is patent in every single track of the CD. Undoubtedly, there is a great
musical rapport between the two, creating a harmonious partnership between voice and piano, which
effectively enhances the songs. Donald George is in great form here and Lang’s pieces suit his voice. He
sings them with obvious enjoyment and great expression, as if narrating a story in song. His tone is very
warm and his diction crystal clear, which enriches the whole experience, as one can distinctly perceive each
sound, each vowel, each word and its meaning within the context of the full lyrics. Lucy Mauro’s piano
accompaniment serves George’s vocals perfectly. The piano never overpowers the voice; it highlights and
completes it. Mauro performs the pieces with apparent delight and marvellous clarity, displaying not only
an excellent technique but also a detailed understanding of Lang’s scores." - MusicWeb International,
October 2011
"Donald George -with his attractive, slightly dark tenor voice and warm vibrato - is a good choice." "Lucy
Mauro's playing is crisp and well suited to the music." American Record Guide, January/February 2012
"The key to this and the other successful performances by Donald George and Lucy Mauro is the unabashed
exuberance with which they embrace this music..they engage with wholehearted devotion and enthusiasm,
which is what these songs both require and deserve...George sings beautifully and easily at full cry, yet
sounds equally compelling when singing more gently and lyrically. Also impressive is his exceptionally
clear diction, which he achieves without compromising the legato line that is at the heart of almost all these
songs. Mauro is a perfect partner, whether called upon for thundering power or the tenderest whisper." -
Journal of Singing, September/October 2011
Vocal CD Pick of the Week on WETA, VivaLaVoce, Washington, D.C.
"As a long time admirer and singer of art songs, I am always on the lookout for new works, and my
acquaintance with tenor Donald George has proven to be a wonderful source of great songs and great
singing. Upon hearing "Love is Everywhere" by Margaret Ruthven Lang for the first time, I was struck by
the wonderful craft in her songs, and her brilliant ability to set text, the hallmark of a great songwriter.
There is a definite German influence in these pieces, but they are extraordinarily original- Ms. Lang most
definitely has her own voice. The melodies are lovely, and Ms. Lang has created a beautiful voice in the
piano- gorgeous, building lines that sometimes explode with joy, and other times whisper of hope and love.
Her charming sense of humor, as evidenced by the Nonsense Rhymes and Pictures is positively darling.
There is a great feeling of nostalgia here as well, especially in "An Irish Love Song". It is no wonder that
this song was so popular with so many singers. Bringing this repertoire to the fore, Donald George and his
pianist Lucy Mauro, have done a wonderful service to the art of song with this recording- his singing is
fresh and beautiful, with immediate diction, and their partnership is palpable throughout the selections.
Her playing is as crystalline and telling as his singing. This recording takes the listener on a lovely journey,
and I know that my recital repertoire is about to grow by quite a few songs, thanks to the genius of
Margaret Ruthven Lang."
- Stephanie Blythe, mezzo-soprano, 2009 Musical America Vocalist of the Year, Delos Insider
"One of my favorite passions in American music is to rediscover well-hidden treasures of private creativity.
Margaret Ruthven Lang's beautiful music is exactly that kind of exciting story, making up the larger
tapestry of the Arts and Humanities in the United States. I am thrilled that tenor Donald George and
pianist Lucy Mauro's new two-volume recording of her work, accompanied by a CD-ROM with the hard-to-
find original manuscripts, now make her music available to a larger audience."
- Thomas Hampson, baritone, Hampsong Foundation, Song of America
"Truly American compositions in the best European art song tradition, masterfully sung by Donald George
with atmospheric and sensitive accompaniment by Lucy Mauro. Margaret Lang is a composer worth
discovering."
- Robert Tannenbaum, Stage Director, Executive Director, Esterhazy Betriebe
"These recordings of the songs of Margaret Lang by Donald George and Lucy Mauro are absolutely
beautiful and a real delight. The songs are performed with grace and with passion, the voice telling real
stories that draw the listener in, and the piano is an equally lovely and compelling companion, played with
delicacy and with flair!"
- Mary McAuliffe, composer, Ireland
"Die aus Boston (Mass.) stammende Amerikanerin Margaret Ruthven Lang (1867-1972) wurde bereits 1901
als eine der besten modernen Komponisten bezeichnet. Seitdem das Boston Symphony Orchestra unter
Arthur Nikisch 1893 ihre "Dramatic Ouverture" op. 12 aufgeführt hatte, war ihre damalige Position als
führende weibliche Komponistin unangefochten. Nach 1919 stellte sie ihre Kompositionstätigkeit ein, und
erst in den letzten Jahren gelangten einige ihrer Klavierwerke und ihrer über 200 Lieder erneut zu Gehör.
Dem international angesehenen Tenor Donald George und der bekannten US-amerikanischen Pianistin Lucy
Mauro ist es gelungen, 25 Lieder von Margaret Lang nicht nur auf dieser CD wiederzubeleben, sondern
durch eine ausgezeichnete Interpretation zu überzeugen, dass Langs Kompositionen integraler Bestandteil
der Liedkunst sind. Langs Lieder reichen von spätromantischer Dramatik über humorvolle
Kabinettstückchen, die, wie etwa "There was an old man in a tree", ungewohnte Herausforderungen an den
Sänger erfordern, über volksliedhafte Kinderlieder zu wunderschöner musikalischer Lyrik, die einem
vielseitigen Tenor wie Donald George und der kongenialen Pianistin Lucy Mauro eine große Bandbreite an
Gestaltungskraft abfordern. Beide meistern dies mit Bravour. Ganz ausgezeichnet ist die Idee, eine zweite
CD mit den ausdruckbaren PDF-Dateien aller Liedernoten beizufügen, so dass die Interpretationen anhand
des Notenmaterials nachverfolgt werden können, wodurch zugleich ein auch pädagogischer Nutzen
besteht. Eine überzeugende, hervorragende Aufnahme, die uneingeschränkt empfohlen werden kann. Auf
die angekündigte Vol. 2 der Lieder darf man gespannt sein."
- Pierre Even, Amazon.de
"Throughout the disc, I had the impression that this recording was a labour of love for tenor Donald
George and pianist Lucy Mauro...George’s and Mauro’s care and dedication in performing and bringing
these songs to the general public is patent in every single track of the CD. Undoubtedly, there is a great
musical rapport between the two, creating a harmonious partnership between voice and piano, which
effectively enhances the songs. Donald George is in great form here and Lang’s pieces suit his voice. He
sings them with obvious enjoyment and great expression, as if narrating a story in song. His tone is very
warm and his diction crystal clear, which enriches the whole experience, as one can distinctly perceive each
sound, each vowel, each word and its meaning within the context of the full lyrics. Lucy Mauro’s piano
accompaniment serves George’s vocals perfectly. The piano never overpowers the voice; it highlights and
completes it. Mauro performs the pieces with apparent delight and marvellous clarity, displaying not only
an excellent technique but also a detailed understanding of Lang’s scores." - MusicWeb International,
October 2011
"Donald George -with his attractive, slightly dark tenor voice and warm vibrato - is a good choice." "Lucy
Mauro's playing is crisp and well suited to the music." American Record Guide, January/February 2012
"The key to this and the other successful performances by Donald George and Lucy Mauro is the unabashed
exuberance with which they embrace this music..they engage with wholehearted devotion and enthusiasm,
which is what these songs both require and deserve...George sings beautifully and easily at full cry, yet
sounds equally compelling when singing more gently and lyrically. Also impressive is his exceptionally
clear diction, which he achieves without compromising the legato line that is at the heart of almost all these
songs. Mauro is a perfect partner, whether called upon for thundering power or the tenderest whisper." -
Journal of Singing, September/October 2011
Vocal CD Pick of the Week on WETA, VivaLaVoce, Washington, D.C.
"As a long time admirer and singer of art songs, I am always on the lookout for new works, and my
acquaintance with tenor Donald George has proven to be a wonderful source of great songs and great
singing. Upon hearing "Love is Everywhere" by Margaret Ruthven Lang for the first time, I was struck by
the wonderful craft in her songs, and her brilliant ability to set text, the hallmark of a great songwriter.
There is a definite German influence in these pieces, but they are extraordinarily original- Ms. Lang most
definitely has her own voice. The melodies are lovely, and Ms. Lang has created a beautiful voice in the
piano- gorgeous, building lines that sometimes explode with joy, and other times whisper of hope and love.
Her charming sense of humor, as evidenced by the Nonsense Rhymes and Pictures is positively darling.
There is a great feeling of nostalgia here as well, especially in "An Irish Love Song". It is no wonder that
this song was so popular with so many singers. Bringing this repertoire to the fore, Donald George and his
pianist Lucy Mauro, have done a wonderful service to the art of song with this recording- his singing is
fresh and beautiful, with immediate diction, and their partnership is palpable throughout the selections.
Her playing is as crystalline and telling as his singing. This recording takes the listener on a lovely journey,
and I know that my recital repertoire is about to grow by quite a few songs, thanks to the genius of
Margaret Ruthven Lang."
- Stephanie Blythe, mezzo-soprano, 2009 Musical America Vocalist of the Year, Delos Insider
"One of my favorite passions in American music is to rediscover well-hidden treasures of private creativity.
Margaret Ruthven Lang's beautiful music is exactly that kind of exciting story, making up the larger
tapestry of the Arts and Humanities in the United States. I am thrilled that tenor Donald George and
pianist Lucy Mauro's new two-volume recording of her work, accompanied by a CD-ROM with the hard-to-
find original manuscripts, now make her music available to a larger audience."
- Thomas Hampson, baritone, Hampsong Foundation, Song of America
"Truly American compositions in the best European art song tradition, masterfully sung by Donald George
with atmospheric and sensitive accompaniment by Lucy Mauro. Margaret Lang is a composer worth
discovering."
- Robert Tannenbaum, Stage Director, Executive Director, Esterhazy Betriebe
"These recordings of the songs of Margaret Lang by Donald George and Lucy Mauro are absolutely
beautiful and a real delight. The songs are performed with grace and with passion, the voice telling real
stories that draw the listener in, and the piano is an equally lovely and compelling companion, played with
delicacy and with flair!"
- Mary McAuliffe, composer, Ireland
"Die aus Boston (Mass.) stammende Amerikanerin Margaret Ruthven Lang (1867-1972) wurde bereits 1901
als eine der besten modernen Komponisten bezeichnet. Seitdem das Boston Symphony Orchestra unter
Arthur Nikisch 1893 ihre "Dramatic Ouverture" op. 12 aufgeführt hatte, war ihre damalige Position als
führende weibliche Komponistin unangefochten. Nach 1919 stellte sie ihre Kompositionstätigkeit ein, und
erst in den letzten Jahren gelangten einige ihrer Klavierwerke und ihrer über 200 Lieder erneut zu Gehör.
Dem international angesehenen Tenor Donald George und der bekannten US-amerikanischen Pianistin Lucy
Mauro ist es gelungen, 25 Lieder von Margaret Lang nicht nur auf dieser CD wiederzubeleben, sondern
durch eine ausgezeichnete Interpretation zu überzeugen, dass Langs Kompositionen integraler Bestandteil
der Liedkunst sind. Langs Lieder reichen von spätromantischer Dramatik über humorvolle
Kabinettstückchen, die, wie etwa "There was an old man in a tree", ungewohnte Herausforderungen an den
Sänger erfordern, über volksliedhafte Kinderlieder zu wunderschöner musikalischer Lyrik, die einem
vielseitigen Tenor wie Donald George und der kongenialen Pianistin Lucy Mauro eine große Bandbreite an
Gestaltungskraft abfordern. Beide meistern dies mit Bravour. Ganz ausgezeichnet ist die Idee, eine zweite
CD mit den ausdruckbaren PDF-Dateien aller Liedernoten beizufügen, so dass die Interpretationen anhand
des Notenmaterials nachverfolgt werden können, wodurch zugleich ein auch pädagogischer Nutzen
besteht. Eine überzeugende, hervorragende Aufnahme, die uneingeschränkt empfohlen werden kann. Auf
die angekündigte Vol. 2 der Lieder darf man gespannt sein."
- Pierre Even, Amazon.de
| Recording of the Year 2011 MusicWeb International |