Golijov: Oceana, Tenebrae, 3 Songs

Dawn Upshaw, Luciana Souza, Kronos Quartet, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Robert Spano, Atlanta Symphony Chorus, Members of the Gwinnett Young Singers

Released on 1/1/07 by Deutsche Grammophon (DG)
Main artist: Dawn Upshaw
Genre: Classical

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The three pieces by Osvaldo Golijov recorded here offer more evidence that his is one of the freest and most compelling voices on the scene. Although he came to the attention of the broader public in 2000 with the bold stylistic juxtapositions of La Pasión según San Marco, Oceana, written in 1996, incorporates a comparable diversity of elements. Perhaps even more than La Pasión, Oceana mingles its various idioms into an integrated aesthetic vision. What stands out is Golijov's fearless rejection of the orthodoxies of modernism, postmodernism, minimalism, and every other -ism that limits the definition of an acceptable aesthetic. Oceana is a large-scale cantata for which the unique sound of Brazilian singer Luciana Souza provided inspiration, and her voice is a unifying thread that runs through it. It's evocative of oceanic vastness without being imitative, and its moments of grand emotion are passionate, even spiritual; the fact that the ecstatic choral exclamations, "Oceana!" are easily mistaken for "Hosanna!" cannot have been coincidental. Souza's voice is absolutely astounding in its tonal coloring and expressive range. Robert Spano leads the Gwinnett Young Singers and the Atlanta Symphony & Chorus in a radiant performance.
Tenebrae is a two-movement reflection written for the Kronos Quartet, inspired by Couperin's setting of the "Lamentations of Jeremiah" for the Tenebrae service of Holy Week. Golijov writes that his challenge "was to sound like an orbiting spaceship that never touches ground." The work succeeds in hinting at a hovering sadness that is too profound and private to be overtly expressed. Three Songs uses texts in Yiddish, Spanish, and (American) English, reflecting the various personal and musical influences that have contributed to the composer's style. Golijov writes to the strengths of Dawn Upshaw's voice, and she sings with gorgeous tone and profound insight. The diversity of the selections and the superb performances make this album a terrific introduction to the range of Golijov's gift and vision.

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Golijov: Oceana, Tenebrae, 3 Songs

Dawn Upshaw

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Oceana (Osvaldo Golijov)

1. Call

Luciana Souza

00:03:30

Pablo Neruda, Author - Osvaldo Golijov, Composer - Luciana Souza, Mezzo-Soprano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Sid McLauchlan, Producer, Executive Producer, Recording Producer - Robert Spano, Conductor, MainArtist - Scott Tennant, Guitar, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - John Dearman, Guitar, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Stephan Flock, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Elisabeth Remy Johnson, Harp, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer