Foggy Dew

1. Foggy Dew

2. Wild Rose of the Mountain/The Gentle Maiden

3. De Bharr an Cnoch/Sean O Duibhir an Gleanna

4. Slockit Light

5. Coulin Agus an Tsean Coulin

6. Lord Mayo

7. Lament for the Death of Rev. Archie Beaton/Thios Cois Ma Fairrge

8. Eugene O'Donnell

9. Donal Mor

10. Bogay House

11. Derry Air

Tracks:

The Jolly Miller
Drink To Me Only With Thine Eyes
The Foggy, Foggy Dew
The Isle Of Cloy
The Trees They Grow So High
Died For Love
Lovely Mollie
I Love My Love
the Shooting Of His Dear
Down By The Salley Gardens
The Old Turn Fire
Ye Banks And Braes
Barb'ra Ellen
Barbara Allen
She Moved Thro' The Fair
The star Of The County Down
Sweet Nightengale
Blow The Wind Southerly
The British Waterside
The Pressgang
Little Sir William
Six Dukes Went A-Fishin'
Sweet Polly Oliver
Bold William Taylor
Charlie Is My Darling
O Waly, Waly

Customer Reviews:

Encourage your brooders to set.......2003-03-08

This album falls gracelessly between two stools: art song and folk song. Listening to it was like being stuck in an endless after-dinner recital when all I really wanted to do was drape the concert notes over my eyes and snooze.

I wanted to be polite. After all, I really loved the albums Benjamin Luxon cut with Bill Crofut, where many of this album's songs also appear, only sung in a very tuneful and endearing manner. I highly recommend their "Dance to Your Daddy," "Two Gentlemen Folk," and "Simple Gifts."

For that matter, I'd recommend this baritone's classical CDs to anyone. He sings a mean Bach.

This album? Well, I'm glad Amazon's two-star rating means 'not for me' instead of 'this recording is so incredibly one-dimensional and boring that I'm going to pipe it into my hen house to encourage the brooders to set.'

I know some people will love listening to Benjamin Luxon sing twenty-six English folk songs in what my untrained ear seemed to think was exactly the same manner, tempo, and volume, accompanied by what sounded like the same tune on the piano for all twenty-six tracks (maybe the pianist got sick after the first track and the album's producers thought no one would notice if they recycled his accompaniment twenty-five times). After all, the previous reviewer gave this album five stars and a very respectful evaluation.

I'm saying if you want to hear Benjamin Luxon sing 'Down by the Salley Gardens,' you will be better off with "Dance to Your Daddy" rather than this CD.

Consummate Artistry!.......2002-02-22

In the mid 1990's, Benjamin Luxon was forced to give up
a major international presence singing opera/oratorio/songs because
of his growing deafness. This wonderful reissue gives us a taste
of what we lost yet is a reminder of his consummate artistry.
Luxon and his accompanist, David Willison, give loving
and sometimes spirited interpretations of a wide crossection
of British Isle traditional and folk songs. Thank you, Chandos,
for this reminder of the excellent gifts that Benjamin Luxon shared with us.

Average customer rating:

A century of British art songs to delight those who love them

English Song

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

A Treasury of English Song
Favorite English Songs
Songs by Roger Quilter
The Complete Songs, Vol. 4
Silent Noon

ASIN: B0002JEG6I
Release Date: 2005-03-22

Tracks:

A Soft Day - Bernadette Greevy
Irish Skies - Bernadette Greevy
Cherry Ripe - Janice Watson
Mustard And Cress - Neal Davies
The Lily Of A Day - Janice Watson
Henry King - Neal Davies
Fain Would I Change That Note - Graham Johnson
In Summer-Time On Bredon - Christopher Maltman
The Lads In Their Hundreds - Christopher Maltman
Among The Rocks - Graham Johnson
It Was A Lover And His Lass - Anthony Rolfe Johnson
The Water Mill - Anthony Rolfe Johnson
On Wenlock Edge - Anthony Rolfe Johnson
The Call - Graham Johnson
Silent Noon - Graham Johnson
Now In These Fairylands - Philip Langridge
The Dream-City - Philip Langridge
Margrete's Cradle Song - Susan Gritton
The Heart Worships - Christopher Maltman
Take, O Those Lips Away - Anthony Rolfe Johnson
Now Sleeps The Crimson Petal - Graham Johnson
Love Calls Through The Summer Night - Anthony Rolfe Johnson
I Will Go With My Father A-Ploughing - Graham Johnson
The Rio Grande (Capstan Shanty) - Ian Partridge
Theodore, Or The Pirate King - Ian Partridge
A Long Time Ago (Hilliard's Shanty) - Ian Partridge
Oh Dear, What Can The Matter Be? - Bernadette Greevy

Tracks:

The Grenadier - Richard Edgar-Wilson
The Young Lover - Richard Edgar-Wilson
Betty And Johnny - Richard Edgar-Wilson
Rise Up And Reach The Stars - Richard Edgar-Wilson
The Bells - Nik Hancock-Child
Ann's Cradle Song - Nik Hancock-Child
As I Lay In The Early Sun - Nik Hancock-Child
The Cherry Tree - Nik Hancock-Child
Dusk - Nik Hancock-Child
Peter Warlock's Fancy - John Constable
The Frostbound Wood - John Constable
Chopcherry - John Constable
A Sad Song - John Constable
Rutterkin - John Constable
Bethlehem Down - John Constable
Wapping Old Stairs - Felicity Lott
Long Steel Grass - Martyn Hill
Tango-Pasodoble - Martyn Hill
Popular Song - Martyn Hill
Beatriz's Song - Felicity Lott
Lay Your Sleeping Head, My Love - Philip Langridge
Early One Morning - Felicity Lott
The Foggy, Foggy View - Philip Langridge
Now The Leaves Are Falling Fast - Philip Langridge
Tell Me The Truth About Love - Della Jones
The Choirmaster's Burial - Philip Langridge

Customer Reviews:

A century of British art songs to delight those who love them.......2006-06-26

These 53 songs have been collected by Naxos from their extensive acquisitions from Collins Classics, and perhaps other British sources now out of business. There's a steady cottage industry, year after year, producing the typical English art song, which is usually based on folk songs, but even in more modern idioms is profuondly conservative and nostaligic. Half these songs, not to mention half the composers, are totally unknown to American audiences, but the familiar names of Vaughan Williams and Britten represent high quality, and the lesser lights, such as Warlock and Quilter, are mainstays in this repertoire.

I'd challenge all but the most addicted listener to make it through more than ten songs at a sitting, and many of these pieces are tepid, offering comfort rather than inspiration. The singers are among the best, but Graham Johnson and Steuart Beford, who do most of the accompaniments, are lackluster. I know that won't be a popular comment, yet if you compare any of these songs with rendiitons done by Janet Baker, John Shirley-quirk, and most recently Bryn Terfel and Ian Bostridge, you immediately notice how much more intensity and drama is pesent than htis colleciton reveals.

Average customer rating:

Britten: Various

Manufacturer: Angel Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00004YU8I
Release Date: 2001-06-05

Tracks:

On This Island, Op.11: 1. Let The Florid Music Praise!
On This Island, Op.11: 2. Now The Leaves Are Falling Fast
On This Island, Op.11: 3. Seascape
On This Island, Op.11: 4. Nocturne
On This Island, Op.11: 5. As It Is, Plenty
Folk Song Arrangements: The Foggy, Foggy Dew
Folk Song Arrangements: The Plough Boy
Folk Song Arrangements: Sweet Polly Oliver
Folk Song Arrangements: O Waly, Waly
Folk Song Arrangements: Come You Not From Newcastle?
Folk Song Arrangements: The Minstrel Boy
Folk Song Arrangements: The Brisk Young Widow
Folk Song Arrangements: Ca' The Yowes
Folk Song Arrangements: The Licolnshire Poacher
Folk Song Arrangements: Le Roi S'en Va-t'en Chasse
Folk Song Arrangements: La Belle Est Au Jardin D'amour
Folk Song Arrangements: Quand J'etais Chez Mon Pere
Folk Song Arrangements: The Salley Gardens
Folk Song Arrangements: Little Sir William
Folk Song Arrangements: The Bonny Earl O' Moray
Folk Song Arrangements: O Can Ye Sew Cushions?
Folk Song Arrangements: The Trees They Grow So High
Folk Song Arrangements: The Ash Grove
Folk Song Arrangements: Oliver Cromwell

Tracks:

Seven Sonnets Of Michelangelo, Op.22: 1. Si Come Nella Penna E Nell'inchiostro (XVI)
Seven Sonnets Of Michelangelo, Op.22: 2. A Che Piu Debb' io Mai L'intensa Voglia (XXXI)
Seven Sonnets Of Michelangelo, Op.22: 3. Veggio Co' Bei Vostri Occhi Un Dolce Lume (XXX)
Seven Sonnets Of Michelangelo, Op.22: 4. Tu Sa' Ch'io So, Signior Mie, Che Tu Sai (LV)
Seven Sonnets Of Michelangelo, Op.22: 5. Rendete A Gli Occhi Miei, O Fonte O Fiume (XXXVIII)
Seven Sonnets Of Michelangelo, Op.22: 6. S'un Casto Amor, S'una Pieta Superna (XXXII)
Seven Sonnets Of Michelangelo, Op.22: 7. Spirto Ben Nato, In Cui Si Specchia E Vede (XXIV)
Canticle I: My Beloved Is Mine, Op.40
Canticle II: Abraham And Isaac, Op.51 - Robert Tear/Sir Philip Ledger/James Bowman
Canticle III: Still Falls The Rain, Op.55 - Robert Tear/Sir Philip Ledger/Alan Civil
Winter Words, Op.52: 1. At Day-close In November
Winter Words, Op.52: 2. Midnight On The Great Western (Or The Journeying Boy)
Winter Words, Op.52: 3. Wagtail And Baby (A Satire)
Winter Words, Op.52: 4. The Little Old Table
Winter Words, Op.52: 5. The Choirmaster's Burial (Or The Tenor Man's Story)
Winter Words, Op.52: 6. Proud Songsters (Thrushes, Finches And Nightingales)
Winter Words, Op.52: 7. At The Railway Station, Upway (Or The Convict And Boy With The Violin)
Winter Words, Op.52: Before Life And After

Average customer rating:

Memories of Kathleen Ferrier
Silent Noon
disappointed
Silent Noon never sounded better.
Silent Noon, Too big a voice

Silent Noon
Bryn Terfel
Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Bryn Terfel - The Vagabond & other songs by Vaughan Williams, Butterworth, Finzi & Ireland
Bryn Terfel - Simple Gifts
Bryn Terfel Sings Favorites
Bryn Terfel - If Ever I Would Leave You (Songs from My Fair Lady, On a Clear Day, Camelot, The Little Prince, Brigadoon)
Bryn Terfel - We'll Keep a Welcome

ASIN: B00076QG4Q
Release Date: 2005-04-12

Tracks:

Come Away, Death
O Mistress Mine
Blow, Blow, Thou Winter Wind
Sleep
Three Salt-Water Ballads: I. Port Of Many Ships
Three Salt-Water Ballads: II. Trade Winds
Three Salt-Water Ballads: III. Mother Carey
The Cloths Of Heaven
Silent Noon
Linden Lea
Now Sleeps The Crimson Petal
Weep You No More
Go, Lovely Rose
A Shropshire Lad: I. Loveliest Of Trees The Cherry Now
A Shropshire Lad: II. When I Was One-And-Twenty
A Shropshire Lad: III. There Pass The Careless People
A Shropshire Lad: IV. The Summer-Time On Bredon
A Shropshire Lad: V. The Street Sounds To The Soldiers' Tread
A Shropshire Lad: VI. On The Idle Hill Of Summer
A Shropshire Lad: VII. White In The Moon The Long Road Lies
A Shropshire Lad: VIII. Think No MOre, Lad; Laugh, Be Jolly
A Shropshire Lad: IX. Into My Heart An Air That Kills
A Shropshire Lad: X. The Lads In Their Hundreds
Money, O!
The Lord's Prayer
The Salley Gardens
Oliver Cromwell
The Foggy, Foggy Dew
Captain Stratton's Fancy
Love Is A Bable
The Cloths Of Heaven
The Aquiline Snub
The Compleat Virtuoso

Amazon.com

Featuring both renowned and lesser-known English composers who flourished between the mid-19th and mid-20th centuries, this collection is indispensable for lovers of great songs and great singing. It comprises 33 songs of great variety: Elizabethan plaints of love and death, Roger Quilter's famous settings of Shakespeare, Tennyson and Waller; the lovely title song and "Linden Lea" by Vaughan Williams; and A. E. Housman's moving lament for young lives lost, "A Shropshire Lad," in Arthur Somervell's beautiful setting. Surprisingly, the two most venerable composers, Hubert Parry and Charles Stanford, are represented respectively by a parody on love and two Edward Lear nonsense songs. There are Benjamin Britten's charming folksong arrangements, settings of John Masefield's roistering sea shanties by Frederick Keel and Peter Warlock, and two settings of Yeats' magical "The Cloths of Heaven," one by Thomas Dunhill, the other by the Welsh composer Dilys Elwyn-Edwards, the only woman included on the record. Michael Head creates his own contrast with a swaggering song about money and a setting of the Lord's Prayer. The music throughout is utterly enchanting. Its melodic and harmonic contours and pastoral atmosphere make it unmistakably, though indefinably, "English." The performance is beyond praise. With Martineau as matchless collaborator, Terfel can color and adapt his glorious voice to fit every mood, character, and expression, from dreamy, yearning tenderness to decisive vigor. He ranges from full sonority to a delicate, floating mezza voce; there is mournful nostalgia and drunken defiance, as well as passionate ardor and humorous, sarcastic rapid-fire patter-songs. Terfel's diction is so clear that one hardly needs the texts. --Edith Eisler

Album Details

Silent Noon is Bryn's Long-awaited Return to this Repertoire - with Songs Representing the Heyday of English Song in the Early 20th Century. · the Beauty and Colourfulness of this Music Which, at Some Points Almost Sounds Like Tunes from Musicals, have Everything to Appeal to Bryn's Fans. And this is all Thanks to that Gorgeous Voice and Character - These Songs Demand Great Communicative Power with a Wide Range from Humour to Sweet Elegy, and He is the Ideal Artist to Bring them to Life.

Customer Reviews:

Memories of Kathleen Ferrier.......2006-02-24

I bought this CD because it contained "Now Sleeps the Crimson Petal" and "Silent Noon". It should have contained "Fair House of Joy". I had heard Kathleen Ferrier sing these songs previously with such exquisite beauty that I thought that no other rendition would satisfy me. Bryn Terfel sings these songs with such grace, style and beauty that I doubt that his performance could be easily surpassed. His and Kathleen Ferriers' styles are so embracingly warm, discerning, affectionalte and tender that it is difficult for me to pick between them. So guess what I play them one after the other, alternating whose CD I play first. This is one you should purchase!

Silent Noon.......2006-02-10

Silent Noon~ Bryn Terfel is a very well done recording of English songs. Terfel is a quite accomplished singer and vocalist but some of the tracks sound a bit alike and some of the lyrics are less then stellar. And sometimes his deep vocals some out of place with songs that were meant to be sung by amateurs and not opera singers and this becomes apparent on many tracks. The book-let is well done and the photos are nice (if a bit boring and his clothes look drab). Even so this is a good album not to be missed for his stunning (if sometimes over the top) vocals.

disappointed.......2005-09-20

considering the magnitude of Bryn Terfel as a star, it's almost a let down. Granted the songs are beloved by some, still does not fully validate to create an album.

Silent Noon never sounded better........2005-08-05

This is one of my fvorite collection af art songs and Bryn Terfel does a fantastic job of interpretating this great classic song cycle. His voice is dramatic enough yet gentle enough to allow the listener to feel what the composer is portraying.

Silent Noon, Too big a voice.......2005-07-14

Those familiar with Bryn Terfel could hardly argue that his physical and vocal presence is generally enormous! If we can travel back fifteen years to his early days at the Welsh National Opera, we would hear this enormous presence combined with delicate subtleness in the great character bass-baritone roles of Mozart such as Figaro, Masetto, and Leporello. An enormous open-throated voice combined with sensitive heart-felt interpretations have made Bryn Terfel the most celebrated and commanding baritone voice of his generation. Only in his early forties, Bryn Terfel has made legendary recordings of Don Giovanni, Le Nozze di Figaro, Falstaff, Elijah, and the Brahms Requiem.

However, Opera megastars such as Bryn Terfel do not always portray art song well. This may be due to the intimate settings of art song, particularly English art song, and the mammoth instruments that try to interpret them.

Let us speak of the Victorian English Art songs found on this CD. Many of these songs were written for the amateur singer to be performed at his/her home. Typically, accompaniments in this style are light and often lack inner voice movements. Many times they are chordal, and vocal lines often float on the fifth of a chord. These characteristics yield to very colorful, lyrical, and sensitive singing. The title track, Vaughan William's Silent Noon, ought to be one of the highlights of the disk. Instead, Bryn's voice is rather thin in color (maybe trying to blend with the light accompaniment) and we loose the intensity of the singing voice and the beauty of the vocal line.
Generally lighter voices do not overpower accompaniments while maintaining the intensity in their singing. Very often they bring a more appropriate dynamic range to this subtle genre. Take a listen to Stephen Varcoe or Stephan Roberts; you'll see what I mean.
On Terfel's latest album Silent Noon, the accompanist Malcolm Martineau plays wonderfully while trying to compliment the robust nature of Bryn's singing. Notable favorites on this disk include Roger Quilter Elizabethan songs and Arthur Somervell's rarely heard version of A Shropshire Lad.
It is worth a spot on your collection but it should not be remembered as Bryn's greatest recording.

John McCormack: The Acoustic Victor and HMV Recordings (1912-14)

Average customer rating:

When looking for "the most"
A superb McCormack collection
Simply the Best

John McCormack: The Acoustic Victor and HMV Recordings (1912-14)

Manufacturer: Romophone
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Irish Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

General | International | Styles | Music

General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0000061K8
Release Date: 1998-02-10

Tracks:

Maire, My Girl
Like Stars Above
Take, O Take Those Lips Away
A Child's Song
Asthore
A Farewell
My Commander As Envoy Bids Me Come
I Know Of Two Bright Eyes
Eileen Aroon
The Wearing Of The Green
The Rosary
The Harp That Once Through Tara's Halls
Silver Threads Among The Gold
T'eri Un Giorno Ammalato
At Dawning
Dai Campi, Dai Prati
Giunto Sul Passo
Mi Par D'udir Ancora
Nirvana
There Is a Flower That Bloometh
My Dreams
Sweet Genevieve
I'll Sing Thee Songs Of Araby
Where The River Shannon Flows
Silver Threads Among The Gold

Tracks:

Within The Garden Of My Heart
Dear Love, Remember Me
Chiudo Gli Occhi 'Il Sogno'
Molly Brannigan
A Foggy Dew
The Low Back'd Car
Sospiri Miei, Andate Ove Vi Mando
Say 'Au Revoir', But Not 'Goodbye'
Mother O' Mine
Down In The Forest
Votre Mere Avec Moi Sortait De La Chapelle
I Hear A Thrush At Eve
Goodbye
A Little Love A Little Kiss
Questa O Quella
Nearer My God To Thee
Eileen Allanah
Goodbye, Sweetheart, Goodbye
Le Portrait
Angel's Serenade
Le Nil
Beneath The Quivering Leaves
Ave Maria, D.839
Ave Maria 'Meditation On J.S. Bach's Prelude In C'

Customer Reviews:

When looking for "the most".......2001-05-14

A local New York professional opera enthusiast has concluded that Corelli is the most popular operatic tenor, followed by Jussi Bjoerling. But if the question is, who had the most beautiful tenor voice ever impressed upon wax, we must lift up John McCormack. Here is true bel canto which no one else has ever equalled. These two CD's contain some of the most exquisite sounds ever issued by a human throat. Let the galleries declare their enthusiasm for stentorian high C's, the real lover of great singing will find much more to their like her than in all the verisssimo arias. Listen to the two "Mefistofele" Arias (Boito) and ask yourself if they have ever since been so beautifully sung. This recording belongs in the collection of every aspiring tenor, just to remind what can be accomplished by art and perfect singing.

A superb McCormack collection.......2000-10-21

If you remember hearing transfers of acoustic recordings to LP, you remember how hard it was to really connect with the music and performer through all the rumble, noise and resonance. This audio restoration is the most astonishing technical feat I have ever heard. The noise is now only a gentle background presence, not the roar of yesteryear. And even more important, it is constant in volume- in other words not a distraction. The fidelity really lets us hear what the early recording engineers really achieved. That said, what this brings to us are the performances of one of the world's greatest singers in richly emotional popular songs (and a few opera arias). There are so many of those old sentimental pieces no one could get away with recording anymore, but hold such a splendid reward for those of us who love them. John McCormack's recordings receive with this reissue the wonderful presentation they so richly deserve. Many many thanks to the label and Mr. Marston who made it possible.

Simply the Best.......2000-01-27

This along with Vol. 1 is simply the best McCormack transfers available from this period. The master of the trade, Ward Marston has outdone himself this time. Waiting for Vols. 3,4,5!

Average customer rating:

Excellent CD by two very fine musicians

Chansons d'Amour

Manufacturer: Doremi Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Tracks:

Adelaide Op.46
An Die Ferne Geliebte Op.98
Ich Liebe Dich WoO.123
Die Forelle D.550
Standchen D.957
An Die Musik D.547
Wiegenlied Op.49 No.4
Traum Durch Die Dammerung Op.29
Chanson Triste
Phidyle
Chanson D'Amour Op.27 No.1
Apres Un Reve Op.7 No.1
Gia Il Sole Dal Gange
The Salley Gardens
The Plough Boy
O Waly, Waly
Come You Not From Newcastle?
The Foggy, Foggy Dew
Danny Boy

Customer Reviews:

Excellent CD by two very fine musicians.......1999-11-01

I found this CD by attending a Community Concert by Saarinen and DuBois. It was one of those evenings where the synergy between the performers and the audience was electric. The CD is a very good representation of what I heard in the concert. It was taped in 1998 in Toronto, where the artists are based. The CD contains some beautiful and unusual songs which I had never heard, as well as many favorites. Gloria Saarinen studied with Alfred Cortot and Guido Agosti, and DuBois studied with Peter Pears, and their musicality reflects it. This is a class act.

Britten: The Canticles; Ian Bostridge, David Daniels

Average customer rating:

Benjamin Britten and English as a Musical Language
Excellent
Three Amazing Voices at Their Peak
Literate, Schmiterate
Exquisite Singing in Lesser Known Britten

Britten: The Canticles; Ian Bostridge, David Daniels
Ian Bostridge , David Daniels , Christopher Maltman , Julius Drake , Aline Brewer , Timothy Brown , and Benjamin Britten
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Britten: Holy Sonnets Op35 / Bostridge, Johnson
Britten: Serenade for Tenor, Horn & Strings; Les Illuminations; Nocturne
Britten: Seven Sonnets of Michelangelo; The Holy Sonnets of John Donne; Winter Words
Peter Lieberson: Neruda Songs
Ian Bostridge - Songs of Faure, Debussy & Poulenc

ASIN: B00005UV9G
Release Date: 2002-11-05

Tracks:

Canticle I: My Beloved is Mine
Canticle II: Abraham and Isaac
Canticle III: Still Falls the Rain
Canticle IV: Journey of the Magi
Canticle V: The Death of Saint Narcissus
The Plough Boy
The Salley Gardens
The foggy, foggy dew
There's none to soothe
O Waly, Waly
The Ash Grove
Greensleeves

Amazon.com

If you were assembling a latter-day dream team for a package program of all five Britten Canticles, this would probably be it. With one or two exceptions, it delivers everything you'd want. Ian Bostridge--the most literate tenor on God's earth--was born to sing this repertory, observing subtleties of text and niceties of diction without compromise to the beauty of fine-spun legato lines. David Daniels, an accomplished actor, sings the boy in Abraham and Isaac with exactly the right mix of pathos and restraint. Christopher Maltman provides the vocal equivalent of lithe, young, gym-toned muscularity in "Journey of the Magi" and the group of folk-song settings that pad out the disc. And Julius Drake homes in as if by instinct on what really tells in the accompaniments: a figure here that signals something to the voice, a chord there that transforms the color of a phrase. The two supporting instrumentalists (Timothy Brown, horn, and Aline Brewer, harp) add to the pleasure of it all. Just one reservation: Bostridge doesn't quite have the climactic roar of joy required for "My Beloved Is Mine" or the authoritative weight for Abraham, and Daniels can sound womanly, as well as overartful in the folk songs (although not everyone feels comfortable with countertenors singing folksongs). And in any case, it's not enough to counter the outstanding virtues of the disc. --Michael White

Customer Reviews:

Benjamin Britten and English as a Musical Language.......2007-01-22

Benjamin Britten was a prolific composer who managed to conquer every range of musical writing - chamber works, symphonies, operas, big choral works, song cycles for both soloist and orchestra and soloist and piano, children's works, ballets, works for amateur performers (such as the Church Parables), concerti, and works for solo instruments. There are few composers even today who understood the complexities of the English language as a source of lyrics as did Britten and though all of his works are penultimate examples of this talent, surely the Five Canticles are the zenith of this gift.

The Canticles were composed over a thirty-year period (1947 - 1974) and are a microcosm of Britten's development as a composer and philosopher. The five works are all inspired by religious themes and yet they also can be seen as occult references to Britten's own homage to his sexual proclivity. Here the canticles are sung impeccably by Ian Bostridge, tenor, David Daniels, countertenor, and Christopher Maltman, baritone and the series is beautifully united by the pianism of Julius Drake (with collaboration of harpist Aline Brewer and horn player Timothy Brown). To review each canticle would take far too much space, but at least some mention must be paid to the opening of the second canticle (Abraham and Isaac) in which the voice of God telling Abraham to sacrifice his beloved son is intoned by close harmony duet by Bostridge and Daniels: the effect is ethereal and wholly spiritual. Each of the five canticles is successful on every level.

Accompanying the Canticles are seven of Britten's Folksong arrangements and each of the three singers is given time and interpretive flair for each one. It would be difficult to imagine three better matched singers than Bostridge, Daniels, and Maltman - three artists who continue to grow in stature (these recordings were made in 2001). This CD contains some of Britten's more difficult works - but also some of his most sublime. Highly Recommended. Grady Harp, January 07

Excellent.......2006-09-03

This is a really nice recording of the Britten Canticles with some of the folk song arrangements added to fill out the CD. The quality of singing is excellent though some aspects of interpretation could be argued. Excellent accompaniment as well.

Three Amazing Voices at Their Peak .......2004-08-17

With tones alternately dream-like and discordant, Benjamin Britten could certainly write music that can challenge as well as soothe, and his five canticles are no exception. Amazingly, he wrote these canticles over a 26-year period, the first in 1947 and the last in 1973 near his death, yet in spite of each canticle's individuality, they feel very much like parts of a whole. The two longest canticles, "Abraham and Isaac" (Canticle 2) and "Journey of the Magi" (Canticle 4, based on the poem by T.S. Eliot), are the most dramatically effective. Canticle 2 is especially moving because of the touching story it tells of the sacrifice of the child Isaac for his father Abraham only to be spared at the last minute. Canticle 4 provides an emotional retelling of the Three Kings' journey to the Christ child heightened by the immaculate blending of the three distinct voice types. It is no coincidence that countertenor David Daniels plays a prominent role in both as he is a highly skilled and versatile actor when it comes to playing a king or evoking the pleas of an innocent child. The voice, of course, is unparalleled. Tenor Ian Bostridge sings prominently on all five canticles and does quite well throughout, in particular, with his diction and tone. He is called on to exhibit a wide variety of emotions, and he rises to the challenge despite the towering shadow of Peter Pears.

The last twenty minutes of the disc are devoted to a wide array of English folk songs, and this is where each singer gets an opportunity to shine in solo turns. In particular, baritone Christopher Maltman does a fine job on "The Plough Boy" and "The Salley Gardens". Although Britten is not for everyone's taste, this is a beautifully realized recording with three great singers at their peak, and special mention needs to go to pianist Julius Drake who accompanies with great skill.

Literate, Schmiterate.......2003-12-10

What you need is a tenor with gonads. These canticles rank among my favorite works by any composer, and I do like Bostridge sometimes, but I can't stand the hooting around I hear on this disc. I mostly agree with the editorial review in the details, but not at all with its recommendation. I think the negatives far outweight the positives. Try the Hyperion release with Anthony Rolfe Johnson. It's also flawed, but far more satisfactory.

Exquisite Singing in Lesser Known Britten.......2002-12-27

This may be the vocal CD of the year. Bostridge, Daniels and Maltman sing this repertoire with all of the conviction of the original London recordings. And the Canticles themselves are pinnacles of Britten's vocal art.

Neither art songs nor operatic scena, in the Canticles Britten fashions his own vocal form, based in part on the extended Baroque solo cantata as realized by Purcell. Each Canticle is based on a poem with religious overtones, and set with sensitivity to the prosody and shades of meaning conveyed by the poet. The first Canticle, set to a parody of the Song of Songs by Anglican poet Frances Quarles, is fashioned in the most Purcellian manner of the Canticles, complete with Baroque devices like the canon and the ground bass. Each stanza is given a different form, almost like a suite, though unified by melodic material. The second stanza is a setting of the story of Abraham and Isaac from the Chester Miracle plays for tenor and countertenor (originally for alto, the tendency now is to use countertenor.) The work is dramatic, a mini-scena with many sections forcasting a very different setting of this story in the War Requiem. Canticle III is composed for tenor and horn and uses the very beautiful Sitwell poem, Still Falls the Rain. Britten's music matches the deep pathos of the poem. The final two Canticles use poetry by T.S. Eliot. They are in Britten's late style, tonal and yet austere and richly dissonant. Canticle V in particular has overtones of the music Britten would use for his final operatic masterpiece, Death in Venice.

The performances on this CD are stupendous. Ian Bostridge is probably the finest interpreter of English art song alive today. His attention to diction, nuance of text, beauty of tone and intelligence make these for me even better than the marvelous Peter Pears performances of these works. David Daniels is the finest countertenor working today. His tone is honey-sweet but never weird or cloying as Alfred Deller could be. And he strikes the perfect tone as Isaac, both childlike and saintly. Maltman too is in fine form in Canticle IV. The instrumentalists are also superb. Special mention goes to Julius Drake, who is a technically brilliant and sensitive accompanist in music that sounds simple but is deceptively tricky.

Tracks:

Atholl Highlanders, The
Foggy Dew, The
Wild Rose of the Mountain, The
Snowy-Breasted Pearl, The
Watching the Wheat
Southwind
Lament for Owen Rua
Blossom and the Rain, The
Cornish Dance
Celtic Wedding March
Derry Air, The
Scott's Lamentation
Musical Priest, The
Pull Down the Shade
Down by the Salley Gardens
Tobin's Favorite
Eileen a Roon
Eilionir a Riun
Coolin, The
Cailin O Chois tSiure Me
Lament for Staker Wallace

Amazon.com

Harpist Carol Thompson renders traditional Irish airs with a delicate grace and poise that evokes the gentility of the 19th century. With nimble, emotive fingers, she creates a charming, contemplative Celtic mood using her unique "downward roll" style, which opens the harp to a lush, chiming interpretation rather than adhering to the classical school. The atmosphere is both delightful and hushed, bright and melancholy, and Thompson's selection of material quietly pays tribute to the Irish, Scottish, and Welsh folk traditions despite it sounding aristocratic at times. Her renditions of "Derry Air" (better known as "Danny Boy") and "An Chuilfhoinn," or "The Coolin" air, cast an enchanting fairylike spell as refreshing as a drink of water from a mountain spring. One bar of "Down by the Salley Gardens" and Celtic-music lovers will recognize this beautiful air, full of a quaint magic and intimate romance that's sprinkled throughout this exquisite collection. --Karen K. Hugg

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful, tranquil, soothing.......2002-04-08

This cd fully lived up to my expectations. It is melodious and artistically executed. Even a baby would enjoy it as lullaby music! It reminds me of shimmering water...

a new favorite.......2000-06-23

The Lord has blessed Carol Thompson's fingers in unimaginable ways. I first fell in love with Mrs. Thompson's music on her previous recording, "Carolan's Welcome"; which has ever since been one of my most prized CDs. This new recording, "The Blossom and the Rain" is even better. Such beauty is rarely found. Splendor streams forth from every song. These songs are raised to life by Mrs. Thompson; A glowing, almost spiritual life. "The Wild Rose of the Mountain" and "Scot's Lamentation" are now two of my favorite tunes of all time. So is this disc. If you have the chance, buy it.

As good as this music comes.......2000-02-16

Perhaps some day Dorian Recordings will turn out a poor CD, but that is unlikely, considering one of their latest releases is yet another 5-star offering. It features harpist Carol Thompson and is titled (DOR-90273). This fifth entry in a series of such music by this artist gives us 21 selections, played on the Celtic harp, that last 67 minutes and are drawn from the traditional music of Scotland, Ireland, Cornwall, and Wales. Personally I find it difficult on occasion to tell one from the other--except for the omnipresent "Derry Air" without the "Danny Boy" vocal part and the lovely "Salley Gardens"--and this can possibly become a problem for one who decides to sit down and give a close hearing. This is not because of the solo instrument, since I find similar programs with ensembles have a certain cloying effect that suggests the CD be heard a bit at a time the first time through and then as radiant ambient music thereafter.

By the way, Ms. Thompson was born in this country of Anglo-Welsh-Irish background (as the copywriter tells us). Part of her technique is to let her ornamentation come out of the melody rather than merely appending it, and to execute her chords with a "downward roll" rather than an upward as in classical harp playing.

Tracks:

Air
Tender Wishes
Down by the Sally Gardens
Eleanor Plunkett
Scarborough Fair
Mysitc Waters
Saltarello
Lament
Dance
Foggy Dew
Reminiscent
Lord Willoughby's Welcome Home
Rondo
Alll in a Garden Green
Whisper Dreams
Piacere d'Amore
Greensleeves

Customer Reviews:

My FAVORITE of Many Relaxation CDs!.......2006-01-26

There is absolutely no vocals on this beautiful harp music CD, although if you don't like the sound of rain or a bit of nature behind some of the music, you may not agree with my admiration of this particular album. I LOVE IT! I have bought numerous "Soothing" music CDs that either throw in unappealing vocals that interrupt the flowing instrumentals or else inject a random fast-paced, spiced up, thundering piece that makes you jump right out of your skin! Not so here, that's why I LOVE IT!
Just a nice "Soothing" CD & I wish I could find more like it.

"One clear harp in diverse tones".......2003-04-12

The Floridian harpist, Victoria Lynn Schultz has three solo albums to her credit: "Harp Dreams;" "Harp Favorites;" and the 2000 album "Soothing Harp" which was originally marketed with aromatherapy products for "Treatment of the Mind, Body & Spirit."

The latter album features four of her own compositions: 'Tender Wishes;' 'Mystic Waters;' 'Reminiscent;' and 'Whisper Dreams.' There are also traditional favorites such as 'Greensleeves' and 'Scarborough Fair,' and a couple of dance tunes from the Renaissance. Close your eyes and let your thoughts resonate to the clear, beautifully-played strings of Schultz's harp and you'll be soothed without the need for essential oils, scented candles, or any of that other New Age clutter.

This harpist also had a chance to tour with the traditional Irish band, The Chieftains when their group's longtime harpist Derek Bell died suddenly last October. Schultz joined them for their "Down the Old Plank Road: The Nashville Sessions" tour. Since she had been a Chieftains fan and a Celtic music buff for years, it was the opportunity of a lifetime.

She has also written the book, "You Can Play the Harp."

Speaking of New Age clutter, my only problem with this album is the inclusion of occasional water sounds that seem less like rain than like someone left a faucet running in the recording studio. There are also occasional bird songs, but these are minor distractions in what is essentially an album of harp music for meditation and relaxation.

Music Album:

Music Album