''Love Songs'' is an album by the mezzo-soprano
Anne Sofie von Otter
Anne Sofie von Otter (born 9 May 1955) is a Swedish mezzo-soprano. Her repertoire encompasses lieder, operas, oratorios and also rock and pop songs.
Early life
Von Otter was born in Stockholm, Sweden. Her father was Göran von Otter, a Swedis ...
and the pianist
Brad Mehldau
Bradford Alexander Mehldau (; born August 23, 1970) is an American jazz pianist, composer, and arranger.
Mehldau studied music at The New School, and toured and recorded while still a student. He was a member of saxophonist Joshua Redman's Qua ...
.
Background
Carnegie Hall awarded Mehldau a commission to write the song cycle ''Love Songs'' for von Otter; they premiered it together in 2009. His music is for love poems – five by
Sara Teasdale
Sara Teasdale (August 8, 1884January 29, 1933) was an American lyric poet. She was born Sarah Trevor Teasdale in St. Louis, Missouri, and used the name Sara Teasdale Filsinger after her marriage in 1914.
In 1918 she won a Pulitzer Prize for he ...
, and one each by
Philip Larkin
Philip Arthur Larkin (9 August 1922 – 2 December 1985) was an English poet, novelist, and librarian. His first book of poetry, ''The North Ship'', was published in 1945, followed by two novels, ''Jill'' (1946) and ''A Girl in Winter'' (1947 ...
and
E. E. Cummings
Edward Estlin Cummings, who was also known as E. E. Cummings, e. e. cummings and e e cummings (October 14, 1894 - September 3, 1962), was an American poet, painter, essayist, author and playwright. He wrote approximately 2,900 poems, two autobi ...
.
[Eyles, John (2010]
"Anne Sofie von Otter & Brad Mehldau Love Songs – Review"
BBC.
Music and recording
The double album is in two parts: a seven-song cycle written by Mehldau;
and songs by
Jacques Brel,
Michel Legrand
Michel Jean Legrand (; 24 February 1932 – 26 January 2019) was a French musical composer, arranger, conductor, and jazz pianist. Legrand was a prolific composer, having written over 200 film and television scores, in addition to many son ...
,
Joni Mitchell,
Lennon and McCartney
John Winston Ono Lennon (born John Winston Lennon; 9 October 19408 December 1980) was an English singer, songwriter, musician and peace activist who achieved worldwide fame as founder, co-songwriter, co-lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of ...
and others, sung in various languages.
Release and reception
''Love Songs'' was released by
Naïve Records
Naïve Records is a French independent record label based in Paris, specializing in electronic music, pop music, jazz and classical music.
Founding and expansion
It was founded in 1998 by Patrick Zelnik, former CEO of Virgin France, Gilles Paire ...
on November 1, 2010.
The
BBC #REDIRECT BBC #REDIRECT BBC
Here i going to introduce about the best teacher of my life b BALAJI sir. He is the precious gift that I got befor 2yrs . How has helped and thought all the concept and made my success in the 10th board exam. ...
...
reviewer commented that "Von Otter's performances emphasise vocal purity over the content of the verses, giving them a chilly beauty".
reviewer's opinion was that von Otter's "tone is full and pure, and her investment in the songs is absolute. Mehldau's exceptionally sensitive and inventive accompaniments contribute immeasurably to the success of the album."
Disc 1
#"It May Not Always Be So"
#"We Met at the End of the Party"
#"Child, Child"
#"Twilight"
#"Because"
#"Dreams"
#"Did You Never Know?"
Disc 2
#"Avec Le Temps"
#"Pierre"
#"Marcie"
#"Something Good"
#"Chanson De Maxence"
#"Chanson Des Viueux Amants"
#"Sakta Vi Ga Genom Stan"
#"Att Angora En Brygga"
#"Dis, Quand Reviendras-Tu?"
#"What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?"
#"Calling You"
#"Blackbird"
#"Some Other Time"