Interpreting the Songs of Jacques Leguerney: A Guide for Study and Performance

Jacques Leguerney, heir to the exquisite French mélodie tradition, is beautifully served in this carefully researched and practical performance guide. The Leguerney melodies are gratifying vehicles for both singers and pianists. They reflect the nature of the man himself: elegance, grace, sophistication, and an awareness of beauty in all its forms. To be in the presence of Monsieur Leguerney, no matter how briefly, was itself an aesthetic experience. This study leads the way to establishing international recognition for a composer who so richly deserves it. Richard Miller, Wheeler Professor of Performance and Director of the Vocal Arts Center, Oberlin Conservatoty.
The songs of the extraordinary composer Jacques Leguerney form a magnum opus of undeniable beauty and originality. The various aspects of his musical style are discussed in depth in this book, which is a must for performers and enthusiasts of the mélodie. Unquestionably it will help achieve the recognition that Jacques Leguerney deserves as one of the twentieth century's great song composers.
Dalton Baldwin, internationally acclaimed pianist
Just when we thought there wasn't a major song composer left to explore, the trio of Dibbern, Kimball and Choukroun have ,written this invaluable, much-needed study of the songs of Jacques Leguerney. Nothing is left out and all is treated with precision and detail. My hat is off to these remarkable scholars and performers who have provided us with a wealth of information that is a must in every serious art-song enthusiast's library. Chapeau!
Thomas Grubb, the Juilliard School, Peabody Conservatory of Music; Houston Grand Opera, New York City Opera; author of Singing in French

Carol Kimball
Emerita Professor of Voice and Barrick Distinguished Scholar at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Carol Kimball is the author of Song: A Guide to Art Song Style and Literature, a widely used text and reference that has become the principal one-volume American source on the topic. She is the co-author of Interpreting the Songs of Jacques Leguerney (Pendragon Press), and is the editor of The French Anthology; Women Composers: A Heritage of Song; and Art Song in English: 50 Songs by 21 American and British Composers, all publications of Hal Leonard Corporation. Her other publications include the Singer s Edition opera anthologies, liner notes for a number of CDs, and articles and reviews on opera and song literature in many professional journals, including the Journal of Singing and the Opera Quarterly. She currently writes The Song File , a regular column in the Journal of Singing (National Association of Teachers of Singing).
As a performer, Carol Kimball earned a reputation as an expressive and versatile performer in concerts, opera, and musical theater. Recognized as a gifted recitalist, her imaginative programming and the unusual scope of her repertoire garnered critical praise. A specialist in French repertoire, she has studied and coached with Pierre Bernac, Gérard Souzay, Martial Singher, Dalton Baldwin, and Thomas Grubb.
In 2006, Carol Kimball s advocacy for classical song was recognized by her appointment to the Board of Advisors of The Lotte Lehmann Foundation. For her accomplishments in and for the arts, she was awarded the 1992 Nevada Governor s Arts Award for Excellence in the Arts. Other honors include the Nevada Board of Regents Creative Excellence Award for the Nevada System of Higher Education and the UNLV Alumni Association s Outstanding Faculty Award.
Dr. Kimball recently retired from full-time teaching, but remains active presenting classes, lectures and clinics. In July 2010, she was a featured presenter at the national conference of The National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) in Salt Lake City. She has also served on faculties of summer music programs including the Pacific Opera Institute (Bear Valley Music Festival), in Bear Valley, California and the Big Bear Art Song Festival in Big Bear, California.