This is a really pleasant recital that easily encourages repeated listening–and inspires expressions of gratitude that Channel Classics has done what no one else has in devoting its resources (and the prodigious talents of two excellent singers) to recording all of Edward Elgar’s songs for voice and piano. Yes, we know that there are good reasons why this repertoire doesn’t often appear on recordings. In a 1949 article in The Musical Times, Arthur Jacobs succinctly described Elgar’s songwriting shortcomings in terms of his undiscriminating (that is, lousy) choice of poetry, failure to achieve convincing fusion of melody with text, and the dated character of many of the songs–partly attributable to lyrics closely associated with events of the time, but also due to particular musical conventions common to the realm of the parlor or ballad-concert. Okay, so these are not masterpieces of the genre, but they also are overtly tuneful, vibrant, vitally Victorian expressions (it’s Elgar, after all!) that gratefully entertain with easily flowing melody and often robust piano accompaniments, exemplified in the rarely-heard voice/piano versions of the Sea Pictures cycle.
Highlights include Sea Pictures–sung with authority and proper dramatic flair by baritone Konrad Jarnot–and the characterful, artful performances by soprano Amanda Roocroft in In the Moonlight and The Wind at Dawn. Both of these singers manage to deliver even the more parlor-ish songs (In the Dawn, Speak, Music!, Queen Mary’s Song, etc.) in a manner that captures the music’s essential emotional aspects and melodic features while minimizing the sometimes inexpert poetry, the trivial ending here or overwrought climax there. It helps that the voices are so appealing, strong, and technically assured, with ideal timbre and character for this music. And the sound is consistent with Channel Classics’ best productions, complementing both music and performers while providing a choice listening perspective. Highly recommended! [3/17/2008]
