Robert Nelson is a wonderfully inventive and stylistically versatile composer known for his prolific output and his forays into a broad range of musical idioms. Many of his creations feature artful fusions of classical, jazz and even hard rock. He has a particular affinity for vocal music of all kinds: operas snd choral creations – as well as the art song, as exemplified in this stunning release.

The songs offered here – in Nelson’s first album for Delos – reflect these musical characteristics and more, as well as his richly expressive palette encompassing a remarkable range of emotions and moods from somber and haunting to humorous. We are treated to two song cycles – Zoo Stories and the title work, Watercolors – as well as seven other songs presented in pairs or as substantial individual works.

The internationally acclaimed mezzo-soprano Sonja Bruzauskas heads a diverse and accomplished cast of collaborators in works accompanied either by piano or by varying chamber ensembles composed of gifted performers on violin, viola, cello, clarinet, horn and oboe.