Will Liverman & Jonathan King Release Their New Album: Whither Must I Wander
Baritone Will Liverman. Photo credit: Adam Ewing.
Baritone Will Liverman and pianist Jonathan King recently released their album, Whither Must I Wander with Odradek Records. With a fantastic collection of songs composed by Ralph Vaughan Williams, J. Frederick Keel, Herbert Howells, Aaron Copland, Steven Mark Kohn, Nikolai Medtner, and Robert Schumann surrounding the theme of travel, their recital disc tells the stories of their adventures and lifelong friendship.
Inspired by their very own experiences in life, Liverman and King’s new album is meant to serve as a reminder to always wander towards new destinations, discoveries, and relationships; ultimately to be shared with others.
Songs of Travel, composed by Ralph Vaughan Williams, was an inspiration for the album name and a defining aspect of the album. With nine separate tracks, from intense to beautiful and enlightening, Williams captures every special element of exploration and journeying. Other highlights of Whither Must I Wander include J. Frederick Keel’s Three Salt-Water Ballads and Herbert Howells’s brilliant King David.
Crossing the Atlantic to America, the new album features Aaron Copland’s serene At the River and contemporary composer Steve Mark Kohn’s Ten Thousand Miles Away. Kohn’s piece uses traditional folk music to navigate the emotional struggles that come with missing a loved-one far away. Whither Must I Wander ends with the Goethe-inspired Night Song of the Wanderer by Russian composer Nikolai Medtner and Robert Schumann’s stunning Mondnacht.
Will Liverman
The compelling voice of Will Liverman has been heard in opera houses across the world. With many achievements under his belt, Liverman has become one of today’s most versatile singing artists. His most cherished achievement is his recent performance as Papageno in The Magic Flute at the Metropolitan Opera. As the first African-American to perform the role on stage, he claims it’s an experience he will never forget. His plans for the future include continuing to perform and build on his platform and advocating for diversity and inclusion.
Jonathan King
Based in Baltimore, MD, active pianist and conductor Jonathan King currently serves as Associate Music Director at Church of the Resurrection in Lutherville, MD and Choral Activities Graduate Assistant at the University of Maryland. As is evident with the newly released album, King believes that one’s artistry is completely bound to one’s experiences. He shares, “The more I walk through life and am exposed to joys and sorrows, the more I am able to attach meaning and purpose to each note I create. My experience has shaped my artistry simply by being an experience.” Much like Liverman, King’s future plans include creating music and of course, taking up opportunities to travel.
A Lifelong Friendship
Liverman and King have a deep friendship, genuinely understanding one another’s experiences, musical styles, and opinions. This collaboration was born from their close relationship, passion for music, and life on the road. According to Liverman, the two artists simply want their music out there in the universe for anyone to listen to, relate to, and appreciate. That is good enough for them.
“As best friends and colleagues who know each others’ musical language intimately well, we have always been inspired to create music together,” says King. “With the uniqueness of sharing a close friendship while also being collaborators, we hope others will care because we have a special dynamic to add to the artistic world.”
