Spring Songs

Kent Jon Fenske offers deft treatment of four wonderful texts, each celebrating a different aspect of Spring: nature, hope, frivolity and love. Each piece is brief, and can stand alone. However, as a set, "Dandelions," "Promise," "The Kite" and "Rendezvous" complement each other perfectly. At certain moments, in the latter, one may sense a faint reminiscence of "The Coolin'" (Samuel Barber/James Stephens), conjured up not only by the text, but the handling of both melody and harmony. A challenging, unique, and highly worthwhile quartet of partsongs.