Description
Randy Bellous, executive producer
Soprano Laura Strickling returns to the Yarlung family with Confessions, a personal triumph and journey into contemporary art song repertoire for which she earned a much-deserved GRAMMY® Nomination! The album opens with Laura’s haunting interpretation of Clarice Assad’s vulnerable and intimate song cycle Confessions and Gilda Lyons’ evocative Songs of Lament and Praise written to anonymous Irish poems and prayers from the 10th, 11th and 12th centuries.
Laura collaborates with Joy Schreier on piano and Sarah McIver joining them on flute for Libby Larsen’s Righty, 1966.
Repertoire includes
Confessions, Clarice Assad
Songs of Lament and Praise, Gilda Lyons
How to Get Heat Without Fire, Tom Cipullo
To See What I See, Amy Beth Kirsten
Three Teasdale Songs, Michael Djupstrom
Righty, 1966, Libby Larsen
Yarlung fans know Laura well from her spectacular concert recording of James Matheson’s Times Alone, which she performed with Tom Sauer at Segerstrom Center for the Arts and is available on CD and vinyl. Many of you joined us for this concert. It remains one of my favorite musical memories.
And now with Confessions, join Laura as she explores her personal strengths and weaknesses through songs written by leading 21st Century composers, many of whom are close personal friends. We travel with Laura through a complex psychological landscape as we lament the death of a child, fight the temptations of yet another helping of coffee or pistachio ice cream, or hope for redemption through love. Laura takes us on a terrific journey.
–Bob Attiyeh
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Jenni –
Laura Strickling’s voice is warm and inviting. She engages the listener from the first note and never stops telling emotional, painful, and funny stories throughout the album. I laughed and cried as I was carried away by her performances. Not only is she an amazing communicator, but the sheer excellence of her vocal technique and expression is a wonder. Every note is thoughtfully crafted and filled with meaning. The collaboration with brilliant pianist Joy Schreier is incredible. Joy’s playing both supports the singer and tells stories of it’s own. Bravi on this wonderful album.
Laura Virella –
I think I’ve just had the pleasure of stumbling upon one of the greatest song performers of our time. Strickling does for American art song what Ameling did for Lieder and mélodie. The répertoire chosen is captivating, moving, elegant and accessible all at once. Strickling’s voice offers a complete palette of colors interwoven with a golden thread. She’s one to watch.