Luise Greger: Heiliges Leid, Op. 95 (1926)

Luise Greger (1862-1944)

mezzo-soprano Thea Lobo

organist Sam Nelson

This spiritual song, describing the idea ‘blessed are those who mourn’, features shifting harmonies and simple gestures, emphasizing the play of light and dark.

Luise Greger (1862-1944) was a highly respected performer and composer in Germany, recognized for her talent by Richard Strauss among others. She enjoyed a long and celebrated career, especially for her famous children’s Christmas show, Goose Girl. Tragically, at age 81, living in Nazi occupied Germany, she was moved from her assisted living facility to a mental institution and within some months died of starvation, a victim of Nazi ‘euthanasia’.

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Justin Elie: Tropical Dance No. 2 (1921)

Justin Elie (1883-1931)

pianist Eunmi Ko

Haitian composer Justin Elie sought to elevate the music of the island in works such as this, as well as champion the African and Indigenous influences of his own upbringing.

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Adela Maddison: The Heart of the Wood (1924)

Adela Maddison (1862-1929)

mezzo-soprano Annie Rosen

pianist Eunmi Ko

In this colorful and inventive song, English composer Adela Maddison reveals her French influences, yet also offers a window into her own passionate and curious nature.

Maddison led an exciting, rather scandalous and complicated life. After marrying and having a family, she found herself as a composer. She championed the music of Gabriel Fauré, studied with him, became his lover, and left her family behind to follow him. Fauré cherished her as well, and found her musical talent and compositions inspired. She almost certainly had physical relationships with women as well, and later on in her life she returned to England to care for her husband when he fell ill.

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