This week I had the absolute pleasure of working with New York based soprano Danya Katok and pianist Nana Shi in an all Dickinson recital at CSU Bakersfield. This was a project that Danya, Nana and I have been working with for about 18 months. Originally it was part of a grant proposal (that we didn't get) but luckily we have been able to get a little bit of life out of the idea.
The set is absolutely amazing. Along with my 5 songs from Dream Cycle Danya sang several selections from Copland's 12 poems of Emily Dickinson, along with some Previn, and the amazing cycle by Juliana Hall, Syllables of Velvet, Sentences of Plush (using some of Dickinson's many letters). Nana also presented Leon Kirchner's piano cycle Five pieces for Piano (all inspired by Dickinson poems).
It was truly an amazing experience to work with artists of this caliber. They are both a delight to listen to and to hang out with. Both are working on their DMAs in New York.
Earlier in the day Danya presented a brilliant master class with members of the CSU Bakersfield voice studio. We all learned some valuable information in that session. It really was a treat.
The recital was recorded and I will post some video as soon as I get it.
