So Lit Song Lit

H. Leslie Adams (1932-2024) is best-known for his vocal compositions, with a large output of art songs and song cycles to choose from, and his works have been performed all over the world. His music is accessible to audiences and performers alike, and our guest today, countertenor Darryl Taylor, of the African American Art Song Alliance, offers amazing insight into Leslie as a person and a composer, as well as shows us the deeper meaning in the songs we discuss.

Recordings featured in this episode, performed by Toni Marie Palmertree, soprano, Ricky L. Owens, Jr., countertenor, Donovan Elliot Smith, and Ellen Rissinger, pianist:

Five Millay Songs (click on the titles for purchase information)
  • For You There Is No Song
Nightsongs
  • Creole Girl
  • Prayer
Collected Songs (several of the songs come in more than one key in this volume!)
  • Love Memory
  • Amazing Grace

Recorded at Morningstar Studios in Norristown, PA, the Carnegie Mellon School of Music Recording Studio in Pittsburgh, PA, and The Church Recording Studio in Pittsburgh, PA.

Darryl Taylor has recorded all of these songs as well:

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So Lit Song Lit is a production of Cincinnati Song Initiative. You can learn more about its network of podcasts at cincinnatisonginitiative.org/podcasts.

You can follow Ellen and The Diction Police on Facebook and at www.dictionpolice.com.

You can follow Toni Marie on Facebook at Toni Marie Palmertree, soprano and Instagram @ToniMariePalmertree

For more information on Ricky L. Owens, Jr., countertenor, visit his website.

You can follow Donovan Elliot Smith on his YouTube page.

This episode is sponsored by Carnegie Mellon University. Learn more about CMU and apply today.

Creators & Guests

Host
Ellen Rissinger
So Lit Song Lit Creator & Co-Host
Host
Toni-Marie Palmertree
So Lit Song Lit Co-Host

What is So Lit Song Lit?

This is So Lit Song Lit, where we reimagine the repertoire by introducing less familiar songs through sound clips and lively discussion! Together we’ll be exploring songs by composers that you may or may not have heard of already, showing how they compare to standard works, and giving you a taste of what they sound like. Join us down the rabbit hole as we expand the song canon!