Life’s Sweet Shadows
Richard Thompson composer
Ellaina Pauline Lewis soprano
Joe Williams Sound Liberator
Celebrated soprano Ellaina Lewis honors composer Richard Thompson's art song oeuvre in LIFE'S SWEET SHADOWS, a recording created in collaboration with masterful sound liberator Joe Williams. Immersed in the rich text of Paul Laurence Dunbar and Langston Hughes, Lewis gives a profoundly emotional performance, her rich timbre pronouncing the story within each song and elevating the complexities of Thompson's compositional style. Lewis shines in each expression, proving equal beauty in the musings of One Life as the joyful call of Passion. Lovingly brought to fruition with the help of many supporters, including the encouragement of pianist Kim Davenport, LIFE'S SWEET SHADOWS is a triumph in art song.
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Track Listing & Credits
| # | Title | Composer | Performer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Dawn | Richard Thompson | Paul Laurence Dunbar, lyricist; Ellaina Lewis, soprano; Joe Williams, sound liberator | 2:58 |
| 02 | Love’s Apotheosis | Richard Thompson | Paul Laurence Dunbar, lyricist; Ellaina Lewis, soprano; Joe Williams, sound liberator | 5:50 |
| 03 | We Wear the Mask | Richard Thompson | Paul Laurence Dunbar, lyricist; Ellaina Lewis, soprano; Joe Williams, sound liberator | 5:12 |
| 04 | One Life | Richard Thompson | Paul Laurence Dunbar, lyricist; Ellaina Lewis, soprano; Joe Williams, sound liberator | 6:04 |
| 05 | Sympathy | Richard Thompson | Paul Laurence Dunbar, lyricist; Ellaina Lewis, soprano; Joe Williams, sound liberator | 4:36 |
| 06 | Passion | Richard Thompson | Richard Thompson, lyricist; Ellaina Lewis, soprano; Joe Williams, sound liberator | 2:34 |
| 07 | Strangers | Richard Thompson | Richard Thompson, lyricist; Ellaina Lewis, soprano; Joe Williams, sound liberator | 4:01 |
| 08 | Bliss | Richard Thompson | Richard Thompson, lyricist; Ellaina Lewis, soprano; Joe Williams, sound liberator | 2:48 |
| 09 | Silence | Richard Thompson | Richard Thompson, lyricist; Ellaina Lewis, soprano; Joe Williams, sound liberator | 4:25 |
| 10 | Life’s Full Promise | Richard Thompson | Richard Thompson, lyricist; Ellaina Lewis, soprano; Joe Williams, sound liberator | 3:08 |
| 11 | The Negro Speaks of Rivers | Richard Thompson | Langston Hughes, lyricist; Ellaina Lewis, soprano; Joe Williams, sound liberator | 5:00 |
Recorded October 14 & November 18, 2023, June 3, 2024 at The Piano Studio in Tacoma WA
Recording Session Producer Ellaina Lewis
Recording Session Engineer Martin Buff
Editing & Mixing Martin Buff
Mastering Melanie Montgomery
Cover Photography Marc Avon Borstel
Cover Artist Lew Griffin Jr
Executive Producer Bob Lord
VP of A&R Brandon MacNeil
A&R Chris Robinson
VP of Production Jan Košulič
Audio Director Lucas Paquette
VP, Design & Marketing Brett Picknell
Art Director Ryan Harrison
Design Edward A. Fleming
Publicity Aidan Curran
Digital Marketing Manager Brett Iannucci
Artist Information
Richard Thompson
Richard Thompson is a performer and composer whose work combines African-American and European traditions. Originally from Aberdeen, Scotland, Thompson made his debut as a pianist at the Purcell Room, Queen Elizabeth Hall in London, in 1984. Thompson’s orchestral appearances include concerts with the Orchestra Nova, San Diego, San Diego State University Symphony Orchestra, Glasgow Chamber Orchestra, and Aberdeen Chamber Orchestra.
Ellaina Pauline Lewis
Soprano Ellaina Lewis is an accomplished soloist and collaborator who demonstrates an extensive range of vocal and dramatic ability. Her journey began as part of a richly musical family in Washington DC and has led to her current home in Seattle WA, where she is frequently seen on opera, concert, and recital stages. She has performed with Seattle Opera since 2011, most recently in X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X, by Anthony Davis. Lewis has also worked among other companies including the Harmonia Orchestra and Chorus, Tacoma Opera, Seattle Choral Company, Puget Sound Opera, Everett Symphony, and as a guest of the Ladies Musical Club, among others.
Joe Williams
Joe Williams, M. M., is a sound liberator and arts leader from Tacoma WA. He serves on the Tacoma Arts Commission and the national DEI committee for Music Teachers National Association. He is an advisory board member of New Music Initiative for Black Voices as well as Ebony Music, Inc. He is Director of Music and Arts at Plymouth Church in downtown Seattle WA.
Notes
Inspiration for LIFE'S SWEET SHADOWS came to Ellaina Lewis and Joe Williams while developing a program highlighting Richard Thompson's art songs. In June 2022, Lewis and Williams performed the live premiere of “One Life" from Songs of Passion with Thompson in attendance. He was pleased with the performance and gave his blessing for a professional recording of his work. His first composition for the voice was Love's Apotheosis, which he wrote after finding the complete poems of Paul Laurence Dunbar in a Brooklyn bookstore. Writing that piece changed his musical life! He later composed his first chamber opera, The Mask in the Mirror, which premiered in 2012.
Thompson's lush musical settings resonate with Lewis and Williams, who aspire with this recording to enable others to experience and celebrate Thompson's masterful vocal compositions. Please enjoy Songs of Passion and The Shadow of Dawn, two art song cycles by Richard Thompson. The Negro Speaks of Rivers, Thompson's setting of the Langston Hughes poem, is a part of his Dream Variations song cycle.
To our dear friend and colleague, Kim Davenport, your support and encouragement were instrumental in completing this album. Thank you!
