Fields of Wonder: Songs and Spirituals of Robert Owens
Darryl Taylor (tenor), Robert Lee Owens (piano), Richard Owens (piano), Ana Milosaljevic (violin), Eddy Malave (viola), Fields of Wonder String Orchestra, Stephen Tucker (conductor)
Whether it is as a composer, concert pianist or actor, Robert Owens has earned a career and respect that many would envy. He has written extensively for solo voice, with a particular emphasis on texts by great writers. As an African-American, he is quick to emphasize that his songs are not written for any particular race. They are to be sung by all people who appreciate fine song writing. He was born in Denison, Texas, but grew up in Berkeley, California, raised by his mother who taught him piano. Following her death in 1937, he continued his piano and theory studies and, at 15, performed as soloist in the premiere of his Piano Concerto. During this same time he composed his first songs, Images. These offer the poetry of Paul Laurence Dunbar and Waring Cuney. From there Owens went on to compose songs to the poetry of Emily Dickinson, Walt Whitman, Countee Cullen and, most notably, Langston Hughes. Over the following decades, after serving in the armed forces and studying in Europe, he continued to compose with an emphasis on vocal works, reflecting his own life, his exposure to racism, and his desire to express the core truth of the poetry he was setting. Founder of the African-American Art Song Alliance, tenor Darryl Taylor's international itinerary includes performing both in the United States and throughout Europe. He has premiered numerous works. He is much in demand as a lecturer on African-American Art Song, having given recitals and master classes at the Juilliard School, the Manhattan School of Music and at Cambridge College, England.
Track Listing
Title | Composer | Performer |
---|---|---|
No Images | Robert Owens | Darryl Taylor, tenor, Robert Owens, piano |
Four Motivations | Robert Owens | Darryl Taylor, tenor, Richard Owens, piano, Ana Milosaljevic, violin, Eddy Malave, viola |
Stanzas for Music | Robert Owens | Darryl Taylor, tenor, Robert Owens, piano |
What Lips My Lips Have Kissed | Robert Owens | Darryl Taylor, tenor, Robert Owens, piano |
Euclid Alone | Robert Owens | Darryl Taylor, tenor, Robert Owens, piano |
Three Countee Cullen Songs | Robert Owens | Darryl Taylor, tenor, Robert Owens, piano |
Fields of Wonder | Robert Owens | Darryl Taylor, tenor, Fields of Wonder String Orchestra, Stephen Tucker, conductor |
The Crucifixion | Robert Owens | Darryl Taylor, tenor, Robert Owens, piano |
I Got a Home In-a Dat Rock | Robert Owens | Darryl Taylor, tenor, Robert Owens, piano, Ana Milosaljevic, violin |
Reviews
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"Every so often a recording comes along that significantly expands my musical horizon, and this is one of them."
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