Cynthia Powell

Review: A fresh voice on the New York Choral scene, the 32-voice Melodia Women's Choir was founded by Executive Director Jenny Clarke in 2003. The ensemble explores and performs rarely-heard music for women's voices in many different styles, nurturing emerging women composers through commissions, residencies and performances. Directed by Cynthia Powell, founding conductor, Melodia has performed 18 full evening performances, at Symphony Space, Merkin Concert Hall, Church of Saint Ignatius Loyola and many other venues. "Songs from the Heart" is a live recording of a performance at Merkin in May of 2010, featuring 23 classical songs from the romantic period and some contemporary selections, such as the 4-part "Vier Lieder aus dem Jungbrunnen" by Johannes Brahms, the 5-part "Partsongs" by Robert Schumann, "Lied mit Chor from Midsummer Night's Dream" by Felix Mendelssohn and "Angel from Six Choruses, Op. 15" by Serge Rachmaninoff, many of them piano accompanied. This is a lovely, impressive collection by Melodia, a fast-rising ensemble on New York's vibrant choral scene!

Songlist: Num Stehn Die Rosen, Op. 44, No. 7, Die Berge Sind Spitz, Op. 44, No. 8, Am Wildbach Die Weiden, Op. 44, No. 9, Und Gehst Du Uber Den Kirchhoff, Op. 44, No. 10, Klosterfraulein, Op. 69, No. 3- Partsong, Der Bleicherin Nachtlied, Op. 91, No. 5, Der Wasserman , Op. 91, No. 3, In Meeres Mitten, Op. 91, No. 6, Spruch, Op. 114, No. 3, In Stiller Nacht, Works for Piano- Arabesque, Op. 18; Scherzo No. 2 In C Minor, Op. 14, Lied Mit Chor from Midsummer Night's Dream, Wenn Ich In Dein Augen Sehe, Aus Meinen Tranen Sprieben Viel Bluhende Blumen Hervor, Im Wunderschonen Monat Mai, The Blue Bird, Angel from Six Choruses, Op. 15, On A Faded Violet, O My Love, Leave Me Not!, Oglum (My Son), Aksham Mahnisi (Twilight Song), Arzular (Dreams), An Die Musik, Op. 88, No. 4

Review: "Twilight" is another beautiful, recording of a live concert with a classical, romantic theme by Melodia Women's Choir of New York City. Since its founding in 2003 by Executive Director Jenny Clark and Conductor Cynthia Powell, 32-strong Melodia's reputation and stature on the NYC Choral scene has been steadily rising. There are 21 songs here, some accompanied by piano and strings. Some of our favorites are Gustav Holst's "Seven Partsongs for Female Voices and Strings," "Three Partsongs" by Peter Warlock, Timothy Luby's "When I Am Dead, My Dearest," and four by Fanny Mendelssohn-Hensel, the partsongs "Abschied" (Farewell) and "Winterseufzer" (Winter Sigh), and "Adagio ma non troppo" and "Allegretto," of the two-part "String Quartet in E-flat." Most of these songs are new to us, and all are exquisitely performed. "Twilight" is a wonderful collection by one of NYC's finest women's Choral ensembles!

Songlist: Say, Who Is This?, O Love I Complain, When First We Met, Sorrow and Joy, Angels Spirits of Sleep, Love On My Heart, When Icicles Hang By The Wall, The Bayley Beareth the Bell Away-Three Partsongs, Lullaby - Three Partsongs, Mourn No Moe - Three Partsongs, Lauliku Lapsepoli, Hajnal Csillag (Morning Star), On Suuri Sun Rantas Autius (How Lonely Are Your Shores), Abschied (Farewell), Winterseufzer (Winter Sigh), Adagio ma non troppo, Allegretto, Echo, When I Am Dead, My Dearest, Vesi Vasy Lumen Alle (Water Under Snow is Weary), Memorial Rag