FRP, Recordings

A "behind the scenes" look at recording The Complete Songs of Virgil Thomson for Voice and Piano

As many of you may know, Florestan is releasing The Complete Songs of Virgil Thomson for voice and piano this February, on the New World Records label. Our highly anticipated, 3-disc compilation includes the world premiere recordings of several unpublished songs, in company with the beloved settings of American and European texts which trace his distinguished career. Featuring the first-class artists you’ve come to expect from the Florestan Recital Project, this recording has been in the making for two years, and we can’t wait to share it with you in February.

To whet your appetites, please enjoy this "behind the scenes" glimpse of The Complete Songs of Virgil Thomson for voice and piano. It offers more information on Thomson and our release, and allows you to hear some of the beautiful music which will soon be available in stores and online. Happy Holidays from the Florestan Recital Project!

Aaron and Alison

John McDonald
Seven Attributed To V.T., Op. 568 (2015)
for soprano and piano

Sarah Pelletier, soprano & Alison d'Amato, pianist

To the Florestan Recital Project, and for Sarah Pelletier, celebrating their recording of Songs by Virgil Thomson (1896-1989)

[Sayings by Virgil Thomson; found in A Virgil Thomson Reader, on Wikipedia, and via other sources. After taking a “Words and Music” offering given by Thomson at the Yale School of Music in 1982, I hope these lines are presented with a textual clarity that would have met with his approval. J.McD.]

1. I look at you and I write down what I hear.
2. I don’t go around regretting things that don’t happen.
3. In Paris, you learn wit, in London you learn to crush your social rivals, and in Florence you learn poise.
4. Try a thing you haven’t done three times. Once, to get over the fear of doing it. Twice, to learn how to do it. And a third time to figure out whether you like it or not.
5. I said to my friends that if I was going to starve, I might as well starve where the food is good.
6. You explain how it went, and as far as you can figure out how it got that way.
7. Let your mind alone, and see what happens.

BEN GUNN

World Premiere Recording

Interviews with our recording artists

PRESS RELEASE

BEN GUNN World Premiere Recording

Interviews with our recording artists

PRESS RELEASE

BEN GUNN

World Premiere Recording