We float in the air today with Mendelssohn’s song of this name, moving on to fireflies, birds, and butterflies. Taking flight are Jussi Björling, Susan Graham, Ben Heppner, Rita Streich, Ian Bostridge, Ann Murray, Gérard Souzay, Felicity Lott and more.
On Wings of Song
Playlist
“Auf Flügeln des Gesanges” by Felix Mendelssohn
Elisabeth Rethberg, soprano; Kurt Ruhrseitz, piano
(Philadelphia 1932. ROMOPHONE 81014-2 B)
“Si mes vers avaient des ailes” by Reynaldo Hahn
Susan Graham, mezzo-soprano; Roger Vignoles, piano
(New York 1998. SONY SK 60168)
“Les Papillons” by Ernest Chausson
Gérard Souzay, baritone; Jacqueline Bonneau, piano
(London 1955. TESTAMENT SBT 1312)
“Der Schmetterling” by Franz Schubert
Ian Bostridge, tenor; Leif Ove Andsnes, piano
(London 2002. EMI 5 57509 2)
“Les trois oiseaux” by Léo Delibes
Felicity Lott, soprano; Anne Murray, vocalist; Graham Johnson, piano
(London 1991. EMI CDC 7 54411 2)
“En svane” by Edvard Grieg
Jussi Björling, tenor; Frederick Schauwecker, piano
(New York 1955. RCA 82876-53231-2)
“The Nightingale” by Alexander Alabief
Rita Streich, soprano; RIAS Symphony Orchestra of Berlin; Kurt Gaebel, conductor
(Berlin 1955. DGG 289 457 729-2)
“Bird Songs at Eventide” by Albert Coates
Ben Heppner, tenor; London Philharmonic Orchestra; Jonathan Tunick, conductor
(London 1999. EMI 09026-63508-2)
“Firefly” from ‘A Net of Fireflies Song Cycle, Op. 115’ by Vincent Persichetti
Lee Velta, baritone; Joshua Pierce, piano
(New York 2015. MSR CLASSICS MS 1558)