A Classic Case of Love
Love songs through the ages. A Classic Case of Love is a collection of intimate, embracing, exquisite and well-known melodies crossing many centuries expressing in all its variety the many flavours and colours of the experience of love.
A 'Classic Case of Love' is a collection of intimate, embracing, exquisite and well-known melodies crossing many centuries expressing in all its variety the many flavours and colours of the experience of love — love lost, love yearned for, love savoured, experienced and won.
Divas and prima donnas have featured largely - and loudly - in Helen Noonan's performing life over the last few years, having performed the role of Carlotta in 'The Phantom of the Opera' over 1000 times and the Ghost of Opera in Chamber Made's internationally acclaimed production of Recital, Helen conceived this CD in reaction to these flamboyant and colourful diva roles; in her own words, "Its time to be gentle, time to sing love songs."
The CD features classic songs from great composers of centuries past — Dowland, Vivaldi, Schubert, to timeless folk songs, to the twentieth century masterpieces of Satie, Weill, Villa-Lobos and Lennon and McCartney. Pieces including 'Waly, waly', 'Salley Gardens', 'Yesterday', 'As Time Goes By' and 'Halcyon' by Australian composer, Christine McCombe.
Guitar accompaniment by Peter Constant, one of the new breed of fine Australian guitarists, and the fine acoustics at the ABC Southbank Studios (produced by Paul Petran) lend an intimate and appealing atmosphere to this superb disc.
Artists
Helen Noonan
Soprano Helen Noonan is a Melbourne original. A trained actress. A trained singer. The striking feature of her work is its vocal and dramatic versatility which sees her playing roles from the straight operatic to contemporary operatic.
Peter Constant
Peter is one of the new breed of fine young guitarists this country has produced in recent years, with a solo performing career extending to Italy, America and Holland as well as to capital cities and regional centres of this country.
Press quotes
★★★★¾
— The Sunday Age
“Sounds Lovely”
— The Age
“Helen Noonan has conjured a musical masterstroke”
— Sunday Herald Sun
“This pleasant collection of love songs is delightfully presented by two distinguished artists... Happily, the recording captures the sense of intimacy so essential to the expression of these songs thus making for a disc of light and diverting gems.”
— The Canberra Times
“Helen Noonan, partnered impeccably by guitarist Peter Constant, presents a wide ranging and soothing slice of repertory with consistent aplomb. ... A thorough going joy for the laid back warmth which it consistently generates: soothing as it is, however, it sustains interest primarily on the strength of the obvious empathy of both performers with their wide-ranging repertory combined with the impeccable interplay of their partnership. ... Impeccably presented ... Delicate music making at its best, tailor made for languid listening in the drowsy heat of a summer's day. ... The wash of exquisite sound is irresistible.”
— Opera Opera
Audio preview
Track Listing
- Waly Waly (Traditional) Arr: Benjamin Britten
- Weep you no more sad fountains John Dowland
- Sposa son disprezzata Antonio Vivaldi Arr: Don Santin Peter Constant
- Salley Gardens (Traditional) Arr: Benjamin Britten
- Gymnopedie No. 1 Erik Satie Arr: Peter Constant
- Standchen Franz Schubert Arr: Fred Noad
- Bachianas brasilieras No. 5 Heitor Villa-Lobos Ruth Valladares Corrêa
- Berceuse Leo Brouwer
- Yesterday John Lennon Paul McCartney Arr: Joe Washington
- Modinha Heitor Villa-Lobos
- Halcyon Christine McCombe Christina Rossetti
- Je ne t'aime pas Kurt Weill Maurice Magre Arr: Don Santin Peter Constant
- As time goes by Herman Hupfeld
Performers
- Helen Noonan · soprano
- Peter Constant · guitar
Composers
Benjamin Britten
Edward Benjamin Britten (1913 - 1976) was an English composer, conductor, and pianist. Britten's operas are firmly established in the international repertoire. He has more operas played worldwide than any other composer born in the 20th century.
Franz Schubert
Franz Peter Schubert was an Austrian composer. Today, Schubert is admired as one of the leading exponents of the early Romantic era in music and he remains one of the most frequently performed composers.
Antonio Vivaldi
Antonio Lucio Vivaldi was an Italian Baroque composer, priest, and virtuoso violinist. Vivaldi is recognised as one of the greatest Baroque composers, and his influence during his lifetime was widespread over Europe.
Christine McCombe
Christine McCombe initially studied composition in Australia before moving to the UK in 1997 to complete an MMus at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama where she studied with James MacMillan. Many of Christine's compositions have been performed by leading ensembles and soloists in both Australia and the Europe.
Where to buy
A Classic Case of Love is available for download from the iTunes Music Store.
It's available for streaming through
Apple Music.
A Classic Case of Love is available as as CD. It can be purchased online through Buywell Music or the Australian Music Centre which both offer secure online ordering.
Move CDs can be ordered through music retailers across Australia including Readings.
