to be seen

Travon D. Walker, Michael Banwarth

LC2610 - 10/16/2026

Travon D. Walker, tenor; Michael Banwarth, piano

Producer: Jonathan Estabrooks
Associate Producer: Maria Valdes

Engineer/Mixed/Mastered: Sam Genualdi
Design: Leslie Schott

Photography: Curtis Brown Photography
Recorded February 16,17, 25 & 26, 2026 at Nichols Concert Hall at The Music Institute of Chicago

PROGRAM NOTE

In all the discussion that took place regarding programming for this album, there was really no iteration that didn’t involve Liederkreis, op. 39. Robert Schumann has long been a love of ours both in his pianistic and vocal mediums. As we dove into the text it was constantly surprising just how modern and pertinent the themes are, as is true of so much of the best art.

It was a great pleasure to program André Caplet’s rarely-if-ever heard Paroles à l’absente. With its ravishing piano textures and seamless mix of vocal line and speech-like parlando, these pieces absolutely deserve a permanent place in the French mélodie repertoire.

Creating the titular cycle, to be seen, was both daunting and deeply rewarding, allowing us to participate in the continuing tradition of art song. The process began with poetic snippets Travon had written, followed by texts crafted specifically for the work. In both the words and the music we were always searching for something both emotionally immediate, and starkly human, and the result is a cycle that is intensely personal for both of us.

We first performed Skylark together over a year before recording the album, and both fell for its simple, bittersweet quality as we put the arrangement together, and we agreed that it is the perfect way to unite the album’s themes and bring the program to a close.

(For more information on the texts and their translations, please access this link.)

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This album could never have made the journey from imagination to reality without the support of so many people. Thank you to Eric Ferring and Lexicon Classics for believing in this project and message. We are deeply indebted to engineer Sam Genualdi for the creative spark, attention to detail, and ability to listen beyond the bounds of genre that he brings to every track. Special thanks to Craig Terry, whose singular musical instincts helped us consistently uncover the most human, magical moments throughout our days of recording, and to Julia Faulkner, whose consummate understanding of how the voice works across mediums is only eclipsed by her warmth in the rehearsal room and the recording booth. Finally, we acknowledge the support of the Ryan Opera Center at Lyric Opera of Chicago both artistically and financially, made possible by the generosity of the Ryan Center Board, and many supporters of Lyric and the arts in Chicago. It was wonderful to record in the acoustic marvel that is Nichols Hall at the Music Institute of Chicago in Evanston, as this project is in so many ways the fruit of three years of our musical lives spent in this incredible city.

TRACK LIST

Liederkreis, op. 39: No.1. In der Fremde
Liederkreis, op. 39: No. 2. Intermezzo
Liederkreis, op. 39: No. 3. Waldesgespräch
Liederkreis, op. 39: No. 4. Die Stille
Liederkreis, op. 39: No. 5. Mondnacht
Liederkreis, op. 39: No. 6. Schöne Fremde
Liederkreis, op. 39: No. 7. Auf einer Burg
Liederkreis, op. 39: No. 8. In der Fremde II
Liederkreis, op. 39: No. 9. Wehmut
Liederkreis, op. 39: No. 10. Zwielicht
Liederkreis, op. 39: No. 11. Im Walde
Liederkreis, op. 39: No. 12. Frühlingsnacht
Paroles à l’absente: Ce sable fin et fuyant…
Paroles à l’absente: Angoisse
Paroles à l’absente: Préludes
to be seen: live oaks and pines
to be seen: how it starts
to be seen: offerings
to be seen: in this room
to be seen: i want...
to be seen: on this dance floor
to be seen: something tells me
Skylark