Valentines (2000)

Despite the title Valentines, Aaron Kernis’ four-movement song cycle was “not a cute card or a kissogram.” That’s a quote from the plainspoken poetry by Scottish writer Carol Ann Duffy. Matching the lyrics’ hard honesty and domestic struggles, the music was loud and demanding as often as it was seductive and flowing. The excellent soprano Talise Trevigne did more than maneuver the busy terrain, but also projected a beautiful and engaging tone."