Dick Hyman Plays Weill, Duke, and Coward

These are solo recordings, and demonstrate an inventive, ingenious and playful take on the great composers of the twentieth century.

September Song - The Music of Kurt Weill.
On this first of three records, Hyman plays fourteen Weill songs, including “Speak Low," “Moon-Faced, Starry-Eyed," “This Is New," and “Foolish Heart."

Mad About the Boy - The Music of Noel Coward.
The second album features fifteen songs, including “A Room With A View," “Twentieth Century Blues," and “Dance, Little Lady." This recording garnered a personal postcard from Coward to the performer, calling these takes “delightful."

Autumn in New York - The Music of Vernon Duke.
The final album in this series contains fourteen songs by Vernon Duke, including “I'm Gonna Ring the Bell Tonight," “Cabin in the Sky," “Autumn in New York," and “April in Paris."

When these recordings were made in the early '50s, they were intended to be part of a larger set, featuring the music of the twentieth century's greatest writers of popular song. Though smaller than originally intended, this collection is nonetheless a fitting tribute to three excellent composers, and a fascinating look at the early days of a continually inventive jazz giant.