I Wish It So- A Song Of Great Yearning: One of the distinguishing features of the Great American Songbook is the ability to listen to the innermost feelings of individuals, things that we normally don't discuss with others but, somehow, are acceptable when we hear them in song. " I Wish It So" was written by Marc Bliztein, a highly educated contemporary of Leonard Bernstein, both as collaborator and rival. It is from " Juno" a 1959 musical based on Sean O'Casey's " Juno and the Paycock." Blitzstein wrote his own lyrics for both popular songs and concert or art songs. The lyrics are plain and heartfelt with a verse that underscores the internal uncertainty of the singer.As the chorus begins, the singer laments that " I Wish it So, What I wish I still don't know..." I would like to directly quote Janness & Velsey from their important book "
" Classic American Popular Song -The Second Half-Century 1950-2000" They have stated that " "Blitzstein's songs seem even more personal, more authentic, than the far more successful songs of Bernstein's later songwriting career.In subtle ways they prefigure some aspects of Sondheim's approach to song writing. When the balance is perfectly struck between musical venturesomeness and acccessibility Blitzstein's songs deserve to be far more famous than they are." Strong praise indeed.
Dawn Upshaw is a classiclly trained singer who has also mastered the subtle refinements of popular song performance. She has championed the works of more advanced composers like Vernon Duke, Marc Blitzstein, Kurt Weill as well as some of Sondheim's lesser known works. The sincerity and emotional frankness in this performance is quite compelling. Both the music and the words demand complete concentration if one wants to receive full benefit of the artistry involved.
LINK http://youtu.be/VDpNJgu7aWE
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