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On May 15, Blue Griffin Recording releases Wide Grey Skies: Edna St. Vincent Millay’s poetry through song from soprano Amalia Osuga and pianist Aimee Fincher. Wide Gray Skies is a portrait of Edna St. Vincent Millay (1892-1950) through songs inspired by her poetry. The songs, which span almost a century, present an incredible variety of styles and set texts from every era of the poet’s life. From unpublished gems found in archives that were composed during Millay’s life to bold and bombastic 21st century compositions, including eight world premieres, each song has its own unique story.
“When I began reading Millay’s poetry in early 2022, I was immediately struck by her ability to connect images of the natural world to elements of the human condition. I also greatly admired how boldly she described her experiences as a woman — especially given the time in which she lived.” —Amalia Osuga
The album grew out of a performance project, Millay: A Century of Songs, which led to working closer with composers represented on the album, especially Joshua Burel, whose Four Millay Songs close the album. The final song of the cycle, “Tavern”, was premiered by the artists at National Sawdust in New York City as part of the Sparks & Wiry Cries 8th Annual songSlam.
Wide Grey Skies features settings by Ivor Gurney, Constance Mills Herreshoff, John Duke, Edward Harris, Elisabeth C. Marshall, Paul C. Nordoff, Margaret Bonds, Ricky Ian Gordon, Juliana Hall, William Bolcom, Eric Ewazen, Jodi Goble, Sheila Silver, Georgia Stitt, and Joshua Burel.
“I remain grateful for art song’s power to connect and inspire.” —Amalia Osuga
1. Ivor Gurney: The Pear Tree* (2:03)
2. Constance Mills Herreshoff: The Return from Town* (1:25)
3. John Duke: Wild Swans* (1:47)
4. Edward Harris: Vanished Summer* (2:06)
5. Elisabeth C. Marshall: My Candle* (1:09)
6. Paul C. Nordoff: Feast* (1:40)
7. Margaret Bonds: What lips my lips have kissed (2:52)
8. Ricky Ian Gordon: Souvenir (3:09)
9. Juliana Hall: Some things are dark (1:06)
10.William Bolcom: Pity me not because the light of day (3:40)
11.Eric Ewazen: God’s World (3:27)
Jodi Goble
The Ivory Box is Broken*
12.Prologue: Epigram (2:32)
13.Epitaph (0:45)
14.Prayer to Persephone (2:56)
15.Chorus (1:00)
16.Elegy (6:01)
17.Dirge (2:24)
18.Sheila Silver: Thursday (1:47)
19.Georgia Stitt: What lips my lips have kissed (3:20)
Joshua Burel
Four Millay Songs*
20.Ashes of Life (4:44)
21.God’s World (2:47)
22.Sorrow (2:40)
23.Tavern (4:00)
*Premiere Recording
1. Ivor Gurney: The Pear Tree* (2:03)
2. Constance Mills Herreshoff: The Return from Town* (1:25)
3. John Duke: Wild Swans* (1:47)
4. Edward Harris: Vanished Summer* (2:06)
5. Elisabeth C. Marshall: My Candle* (1:09)
6. Paul C. Nordoff: Feast* (1:40)
7. Margaret Bonds: What lips my lips have kissed (2:52)
8. Ricky Ian Gordon: Souvenir (3:09)
9. Juliana Hall: Some things are dark (1:06)
10.William Bolcom: Pity me not because the light of day (3:40)
11.Eric Ewazen: God’s World (3:27)
Jodi Goble
The Ivory Box is Broken*
12.Prologue: Epigram (2:32)
13.Epitaph (0:45)
14.Prayer to Persephone (2:56)
15.Chorus (1:00)
16.Elegy (6:01)
17.Dirge (2:24)
18.Sheila Silver: Thursday (1:47)
19.Georgia Stitt: What lips my lips have kissed (3:20)
Joshua Burel
Four Millay Songs*
20.Ashes of Life (4:44)
21.God’s World (2:47)
22.Sorrow (2:40)
23.Tavern (4:00)
*Premiere Recording