Twilight and Innocence

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Metropolitan Opera soprano Heidi Grant Murphy and her husband, the pianist and conductor Kevin Murphy (also of the Met), conceived the concept for this recording with guidance from their friend and Met colleague, Ken Noda. The intent was to convey a feeling of infinite tranquillity, reverie, dreaminess, and tenderness. Though the disk's packaging--including its title--may strike some as slightly drippy, the recording deserves high praise on musical grounds. The selection of repertoire is excellent, and as a result, the disk's overall feeling is one of serene continuity. As interpreter, Heidi Grant Murphy brings out the many subtly-shaded moods in this music, and her voice is stunning without calling undue attention to itself. It is by turns quiet, close, tender, and yielding. It's a special disk to have. --Gwendolyn Freed

Tracks:

Der Engel
Ich atmet' einen linden Duft
Auf Flugen des Gesanges
Oh, quand je dors
Le Bonheur est Chose legere
En Priere
Chere Nuit
Mondnacht
Wiegenlied
Giulio Cesare: V'adoro, pupille
Zdes' khorosho
Ya ne prorok
Wasserose
Wiegenlied
Litanei auf der Fest Allerseelen
St. Ita's Vision
Long Time Ago
The Little Horses

Amazon.com

Metropolitan Opera soprano Heidi Grant Murphy and her husband, the pianist and conductor Kevin Murphy (also of the Met), conceived the concept for this recording with guidance from their friend and Met colleague, Ken Noda. The intent was to convey a feeling of infinite tranquillity, reverie, dreaminess, and tenderness. Though the disk's packaging--including its title--may strike some as slightly drippy, the recording deserves high praise on musical grounds. The selection of repertoire is excellent, and as a result, the disk's overall feeling is one of serene continuity. As interpreter, Heidi Grant Murphy brings out the many subtly-shaded moods in this music, and her voice is stunning without calling undue attention to itself. It is by turns quiet, close, tender, and yielding. It's a special disk to have. --Gwendolyn Freed

Customer Reviews:

Truly lovely.......2006-08-23

Ms. Grant Murphy has an exquisitely tuned and toned soprano, and her husband, Mr. Murphy, accompanies and supports with great delicacy and musicality. The selections are wide-ranging and eclectic, and I found most of the disc utterly entrancing. Heidi Grant Murphy's voice is clear, high, pure and uniquely beautiful in timbre. I had the great pleasure of hearing her live in concert in 2005 with the Boston Symphony Orchestra at Tanglewood, in Mahler, and on the strength of that decided to purchase this CD. If pressed to find what I considered to be a weak spot, I would have to say that I did not find Ms. Grant Murphy's voice particularly suited to "O quand je dors", although the duo performance of that song was as thoroughly musically informed and well-conceived as any of the other selections included. I think this is quite a remarkable collection and I would definitely recommend it to lovers of art song.

Brilliant!.......2003-12-30

Seems like Laura, who gave a terrible review, is a bit jealous! She must have been competing with Heidi and was not picked. It is obvious she is terribly resentful of Heidi's beautiful voice and talent. Heidi's voice is angelic and peaceful. I highly reccommend all of her CD's. Her husband Kevin and she make a great pair and their talents are amazing! Keep them coming Heidi. As for you Laura, keep trying. Besides the attitude and resntment, you must not have the talent you thought you possessed.

Not worth the money!.......2000-11-26

Looking at the high praise this mediocre recording receives in the other reviews, I'm wondering whether I listened to the same one. I bought this recording with high hopes, but having never listened to her voice - I regret it. The material she performs is good (if somewhat standard), but her voice is really...weird. It has a Beverly Sills (past the golden years) wobble in it that she seems to think is a healthy vibrato. I know she was pulled out of Indiana U early for a Met contract, and I think they did her a disservice - her technique is horrible. She does have good control of her pianissimi, but as a whole, the recording is most disappointing. In the Rach, her fortes are frighteningly bad, almost embarassing. How does this woman sing at the met?

A Beautiful Voice.......2000-02-25

Heidi Garant Murphy is an exceptional singer. The magical tone of her voice is matched by intelligent musicianship. I recently (Feb 10) saw her as Sophie in Der Rosenkvalier at the Met. A wonderful performance, in which she was clearly the interpreter closest to what I think Strauss had in mind. She also had the most beautiful voice (although Fleming was also in excellent voice) This disc is another wonderful example or her singing. Kevin Murphy, who is her husband, provides a sensitive piano accompaniment. This disk is not background music. The sensitive interpretations require your complete attention to be appreciated.

Buy!.......2000-02-15

Judging from most reviews in the classical genre, I am not qualified to evaluate Twilight & Innocence for its technical merits, but let me say that Heidi Grant Murphy has one of the most beautiful voices I've ever heard. The selections, and lovely piano accompaniment are a perfect showcase for her talent. I've worn out my repeat button on V'adoro, pupille...heidi and kevin, encore!