WQXR has posted an archived recording of Thomas Hampson’s acclaimed Carnegie Hall recital (February 9) featuring the world premiere of Jennifer Higdon’s song cycle Civil Words, set to texts from the Civil War. He was joined by pianist and frequent collaborator Wolfram Rieger for the performance.

The evening program featured works based on the theme of wartime, from a variety of composers including Strauss, Mahler, Hindemith, Ives, and Vaughan Williams. The recital was received with tremendous acclaim:

“In classical music, the difference between art and artifact is made up by context . . . But give that music some meaning in terms of our own memories and cultural experiences, and it comes alive. No one in classical music does this better than baritone Thomas Hampson . . .” (New York Classical Review)