schedule
Stephen Swanson & David Gompper
Was my brother in the battle? SONGS OF WAR
Sat., Aug. 1 @ 4:00 p.m.
Sun., Aug. 2 @ 10:00 p.m.
Wed., Aug. 5 @ 8:30 p.m.
Thu., Aug. 6 @ 8:30 p.m.
Sat., Aug. 8 @ 4:00 p.m.
Venue Playwrights' Center
Created by Stephen Swanson/David Gompper
From Iowa City, IA
Web site www.stephenswansonbaritone.com
genres Solo
subjects Political, Historical
features Original music, First-time Minnesota Fringe Festival producer
Overall rating
User reviews
A strong voice and a strong narrative
by Dave Romm Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
I can only hear "And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda" so many times a year. David Gompper and Steven Swanson do powerful versions of anti-war songs originally conceived in anger at the remarkably poor media coverage of Operation Iraqi Freedom. They will never be on Fox or CNN. A few brave musicians cover Tom Lehrer; fewer are brave enough to cover Charles Ives or Flanders and Swann. I look forward to listening to the CD... after a time. A Shockwave Radio Theater Review.
Longer reviews with pictures at Baron Dave's LiveJournal and snarky comments on Facebook.
Enjoyable and touching
by Kay Jackson Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
The singing and piano accompaniment are beautiful, but the real focus of this show is the stories these songs tell--and they are great stories.
Outstanding and touching performance
by Fuzzy Killer Duckling Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
As a member of the armed services, I tend to stay away from the blatant war theatre pieces. They tend to be fairly one-sided and cannot seem to fully encompass the physical, psychological, and emotional difficulties faced by the military, both past and present. When by happenstance and poor schedule-reading ability I found myself at the playwright's Center for last night's performance, I was reluctant to attend. I am so glad I did. Not only were the vocalist and pianist amazing, but the musical selection was truly moving. It touched the best and worst of war: the realities and the illusions. I knew many of the songs, but the arrangement was magnificent. It wrapped up the Fringe evening with a depth I had not sought nor expected. I recommend this for any music affecionado of any sort, or someone wanting a bit of a break from the slapstick humor that fills much of the Fringe.
Wonderful presentation
by Ben Krywosz Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
This show offers fabulous vocalism in a intriguing program of alas-too-relevant material, surveying our country’s 20-century military efforts ranging from World War One (Charles Ives) to World War Two (a recent cycle by Gene Scheer, inspired by conversations with veterans) to the Cold War (Tom Lehrer, et al) to Vietnam (Bob Dylan and Tom Paxton, in wonderful new arrangements by pianist David Gompper). The inclusion of Stephen Foster validates popular song as legitimate art, and suggests a lineage that connects Schubert with Dylan and Paxton. Gompper’s setting of Lincoln’s letter to a grieving mother who lost all five sons in the Civil War is particularly touching, and a lovely end to the evening. Swanson has a gorgeous baritone voice, although the sumptuousness is so seductive it’s easy to immerse oneself in the sound and thereby temporarily lose the words. This is not a conventional theatrical presentation, but the second half of the programs does provide a little ironic humor and a bit more animation. Highly recommended as a sobering antidote to the typical Fringe zaniness!
Fabulous Classical Singing at the Fringe
by Jill Anna Ponasik Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
The Fringe is chock full of youthful, exuberant creativity. "Was my brother in the battle?" presents Fringers with a rare opportunity to hear mature, exceptionally gifted artists perform material they have mastered with the elegance and ease that marks great professionals. To top it off, Stephen's voice is just absolutely, simply, gorgeous.
A beautifully crafted jewel of a show!
by Helen Kivnick Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Stephen Swanson and David Gompper present evocative portraits of four American wars. Simple, stark, and compelling, the performance is the songs and the inherent power of their lyrics, melodies, and arrangements. No cheap laughs. No empty virtuosity. Swanson and Gompper are both superior musicians – in genres not particularly popular among today’s mainstream audiences. But rather than using this show as an opportunity to showcase their own musical gifts, they use their skills to give voice to the material. A good song can transmit information, make you think and feel, and reverberate inside you when it’s finished. A good performance allows a good song to function effectively. A great performance makes a good song even better. This show provides good songs, great performances, and informative program notes to keep the experience going after the house lights have come up.
A gorgeous and affecting recital
by William Beeman Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
You will not see many vocal recitals at the Fringe Festival, but this one is going to blow you away. Stephen Swanson has a gorgeous baritone with a stunning high register. David Gompper is a virtuoso pianist--even on an electronic keyboard. These songs, carefully selected, are deeply affecting portraits of war by composers ranging from Charles Ives to Tom Lehrer and, yes, Bob Dylan--all wonderfully arranged and presented. The songs brought tears to my eyes many times, and there were many laughs in the program as well. An added benefit for serious vocal students is to see how a truly wonderful recital program should be constructed, with balance, variety and dramatic presentation. Recitals should not be boring--they should be as entertaining as the most dramatic theater event, and Swanson and Gompper prove this in spades. Bravi!
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