Episode 486. The Other Maureen Forrester

Episode 486. The Other Maureen Forrester

This episode celebrates one of the twentieth century’s great contraltos, Canadian icon, Maureen Forrester, an exceptionally versatile, profoundly communicative artist. This past July 25 would have been her 96th birthday. It would be a nearly insurmountable challenge to present all aspects of her artistry in a single episode, so today I have chosen to bestow upon her a title which might surprise you: I am crowning her Queen of Crossover. Clearly both Eileen and Eleanor might look askance at such a claim, but among Forrester’s fellow Canadians, I don’t think anyone can challenge Queen Maureen’s title. Central to this episode is a delicious 1982 issue on Canadian RCA entitled The Other Me, which features la nostra regina canadese in a delectable assortment of pop favorites, ranging from standards from the Great American Songbook (Berlin, Porter, Gershwin, Arlen, Schmidt and Jones, Loesser). In addition, I’ve included a generous sampling of her 1987 recording with pianist John Arpin entitled From Kern to Sondheim: Great American Theatre Songs, as well as a smattering of the folk song arrangements (mostly of Canadian material arranged by Canadian composers) which formed such a vital part of her programs. Her fellow grande dame of Canadian song, soprano Lois Marshall, even joins her in duet on one of those folk songs. I dedicate today’s episode to the memory of my friend Tom Muraco, who collaborated frequently with Maureen and positively adored her.

RECORDINGS HEARD IN THIS EPISODE

Jerome Kern, Oscar Hammerstein II: The Song Is You (Music in the Air). Maureen Forrester, John Arpin [1987]

Irving Berlin: What’ll I Do? (Music Box Revue of 1924). Maureen Forrester, John Arpin [1987]

Irving Berlin: They Say It’s Wonderful (Annie Get Your Gun). Maureen Forrester, John Arpin [1987]

Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II: Hello, Young Lovers (The King and I). Maureen Forrester, John Arpin [1987]

Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II: You’ll Never Walk Alone (Carousel). Paul Gemignani, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra [1987]

Stephen Sondheim: Send in the Clowns (A Little Night Music). John Arpin [1987]

Gladys Rich: American Lullaby. John Newmark [1967]

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, arr. Gershon Kingsley: Hold My Hand, Giovanni. Gershon Kingsley, Members of the Vienna State Opera Orchestra [1964]

Irving Berlin: They Say It’s Wonderful (Annie Get Your Gun). Maureen Forrester, John Arpin [1987]

Maureen Forrester: The Other Me. Arranged and Conducted by Doug Riley [1982]

• Irving Berlin: I Got Lost in His Arms (Annie Get Your Gun)
• Cole Porter: I Get a Kick Out of You (Anything Goes)
• Michael Leonard, Herbert Martin [French lyric by Larry Trudel]: Pourquoi t’ai-je choisi [Why Did I Choose You?]
• George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin: Mine (Let ‘Em Eat Cake)
• Harvey Schmidt, Tom Jones: Try to Remember (The Fantasticks)
• Doug Riley, Jackie Rae: Whatever I Say
• Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer: Out of This World (from the film of the same name)
• Jacques Offenbach, arr. L. Reed, Jackie Rae [French lyric by Hubert Ithier]: Ne t’en va pas [Please Don’t Go]
• Harvey Schmidt, Tom Jones: Soon It’s Gonna Rain (The Fantasticks)
• Michel Legrand, Norman Gimbel: I Will Wait for You (The Umbrellas of Cherbourg)
• Frank Loesser More I Cannot Wish You (Guys and Dolls)

Traditional Canadian, arr. John Beckwith: J’ai perdu mon amant. Maureen Forrester, Yehudi Wyner [live 08.VIII.74]

Traditional Scots, Robert Burns, arr. Robert Fleming: Flow gently, sweet Afton. Maureen Forrester, Lois Marshall, Yehudi Wyner [live early 1970s]

Traditional Métis, arr. Malcolm Forsyth: Chanson du petit cordonnier (Three Métis Songs from Saskatchewan). Maureen Forrester, Richard Hoenith, McGill Symphony Orchestra [1976?]

John Jacob Niles: The Lass from the Low Country. Maureen Forrester, Andrew Davis [1987]

Traditional Québecois, arr. Victor Bouchard: Boumbadiboum. Maureen Forrester, Andrew Davis [1987]

Jerry Herman: And I Was Beautiful (Dear World). John Arpin [1987]