Indian Summer-Victor Herbert Goes American: Victor Herbert was essentially a European-influnced composer of popular operattas like " Babes in Toyland". Although he was highly trained, especially in Germany, he never wrote songs in a style that we associate with our preoccupation with classic American popular song. A surprising exception is the marvellous melody to " Indian Summer." Written in 1930, with lyrics by Al Dubin, a noted lyricist for films. especially with Harry Warren. Dubin heard the piano melody and crafted the wistful lyrics that end with " Farewell , To You Old Indian Summer".
Alec Wilder admitted that he never had been Herbert fan " finding his music too Viennese and alien to my ( American directed) environment." He adds that " The melody sings marvelously throughout without a single cliche or let down".
The performance is by the Singers Unlimited, 3 men and Bonnie Herman as lead vocalist.. The group specialized in A Capella arrangements . With the use of multi tracking technology, they would add additional melody and harmonic lines to end up sounding like a choir. This song is sung without accompaniment-just the ingenious harmony and arrangement for extremely talented singers doing justice to a wondeful song . It provides a feeling of gentle nostagia for the passing of a season as well as evoking possible personal memories.
LINK: http://youtu.be/Jz37dIh8y2E
No comments:
Post a Comment