March 29, 2025

Bespoke Songs: soprano Fotina Naumenko on commissioning four composers for works for soprano and diverse ensembles

Fotina Naumenko is an American soprano of Russian heritage. Her album Bespoke Songs on New Focus Recordings was nominated for a 2025 Grammy for Best Classical Solo Vocal Album. The disc features four works for soprano and diverse ensembles that Fotina commissioned from composers Jonathan Newman, Benedict Sheehan, Carrie Magin and Jennifer Jolley setting texts by female authors. The disc features Jonathan Newman's song cycle, Bespoke Songs for soprano, clarinet, saxophone, violin, cello, guitar, percussion and piano, Jennifer Jolley's song cycle 'Hope' is a Thing with Feathers for soprano, flute and guitar, Carrie Magin's How to See an Angel for soprano, bassoon and piano, and Benedict Sheehan's song cycle, Let Evening Come for soprano, cello and harp.

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