PERMANENT MOONLIGHT: SONGS OF SIR RICHARD RODNEY BENNETT
Maud Hixson has released her seventh album; a collection of songs by multi-faceted composer Sir Richard Rodney Bennett, best known for his classical works and film scores, and whose jazz compositions revealed his great love of the Great American Songbook. His last concert appearance was with Maud in Manhattan in 2012, and a decade after his passing, she presents his songs written for friends Blossom Dearie, Lena Horne and Cleo Laine, as well as some of his works outside the standard jazz repertoire. It earned a 2024 Bistro Award for Excellence in Recording.
Sir Richard Rodney Bennett was born in England, studied classical music in London and Paris, and produced more than 200 works for the concert hall as well as 50 film scores. He earned Academy Award nominations for his scores for Far From The Madding Crowd, Nicholas and Alexandra, and Murder On The Orient Express. He was also an accomplished pianist and singer, and was appointed CBE in 1977, knighted in 1998.
REVIEWS
“As a remembrance of a genius in the world of music, as a tribute to a friendship formed through music, or merely as a collection of damned fine songs sung superbly, Permanent Moonlight: Songs of Sir Richard Rodney Bennett is a remarkable achievement and a showcase for the very special talent of Maud Hixson.” –Bistro Award
“A graceful glide through classy material with elegant melodies, worldly-wise observations, and some sly humor. A low-key, streamlined approach lets the melodies float, and lyrics are phrased with what can feel like a secret, knowing smile. Permanent Moonlight shines its own light on the talents of a multi-faceted man and a very engaging lady.“ –Talkin’ Broadway
“Hixson is the ideal instrument for Bennett’s rare songwriting, presenting soft-spoken storylines whose literate lyrics and emotional insight manage to hit hard.” –All About Jazz
“Maud lets the lyrics speak;
and she finds the melancholy in
the lightness–or the lightness in the melancholy–I don’t know which
it is, but it speaks for Richard.”
–Meg Peacocke,
poet and sister of the composer
