New York, Jim Lahti, Leonard Bearstein and Musical Inspiration!

So it has been about 2 months since I returned from New York. I have been meaning to write this blog for ages - I just haven't had the mental capacity to put into words all of the amazing things that I got up to. But now I am just going to give it a go.

I was in the USA for 3.5 weeks. Much of this time was spent with some family over there visiting vineyards on Long Island, eating plates of food that make a British Sunday Roast look like an appetiser, and taking in lots of the history and culture of the country.

But it wasn't all waffles and icecream. I also did some work while I was over there.
Jim Lahti is a composer and talented piano player who lives and works in New York City. We were introduced to each other by a mutual friend (my singing teacher from back when I was at school). Jim and I started emailing each other, discussing life, teddy bears, various everyday activities, but mostly music. Jim was even kind enough to compose an original piece for my vocal group The Sirens - and one of our favourite pieces to perform is Jim's arrangement of a Nightingale Sang in Berkley Square. We were very keen to work with each other. But there was a small obstacle preventing a collaboration; the Atlantic Ocean.


<<<<<<< This is Jim and his wife Mary.

So this summer I planned my trip to NYC to work with Jim Lahti and put on a recital in the city. 
We decided to focus upon a programme of English and American Art Songs. We spent months scanning sheet music and emailing pdf copies to each other. Learning various songs and suggestions, rehearsing and preparing to meet, making the most of the limited time we would have to put a programme together. When we did finally meet and start working together, we discovered that we worked quite well as a team. 
Then we put together a performance called "Berkshire meets the Bronx" - (Jim is quite witty with words). Jim invited some select gueststo attend the recital - all music and theatre professionals. And this is what we performed:
Ned Rorem: Early in the Morning
Ned Rorem: Alleluia
Jonathan Dove: 5 Am'rous Sighs
1. Between your sheets 2. Finish! 3. My heart still hovering round about you 4. All these dismall looks and fretting 5. Venus
Leonard Bernstein: I hate music!
1. My name is Barbara 2. Jupiter has Seven Moons 3. I hate Music! 4. A big Indian and a little Indian 5. I'm a person too
Douglas Moore: Dearest Mama (The Ballad of Baby Doe)
Jim Lahti: The Broken Tower
Roger Quilter: Seven Elizabethan Lyrics
1. Weep you no more 2. My life's delight 3. Damask Roses 4. The Faithless Shepherdess 5. Brown is my love 6. By a Fountainside 7. Fair House of Joy
Rogers & Hammerstein: What's the use of Wondrin' (Carousel)
Gershwin: Summertime (Porgy and Bess)


A couple of these were filmed and you can watch them here:

I hope to return to the USA again soon to work with Jim again. This trip has given me a great momentum to go out and focus on different musical projects. Uhoh... Jenny is inspired, motivated and determined.
Watch this space. Anything could happen.

JC

P.S.
No I didn't spell the title of this post wrong. I know that the composer is called Leonard Bernstein. I am in fact referring to the stuffed musical mascot you can see in the top right hand corner of these videos (named in honour of the great composer). His name is Leonard Bearstein and he is a rather adorable teddy bear with a piano key scarf.