THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 16, 1994 TAG: 9410150058
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E5 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Album reviews
SOURCE: BY PAUL SAYEGH, SPECIAL TO THE DAILY BREAK
LENGTH: Medium: 61 lines
Samuel Barber, ``The Complete Songs'' (Deutsche Grammophon) - This set is a wonderful achievement for the artists and a brave endeavor on the part of Deutsche Grammophon for what must have been an expensive and risky project. That it has turned out so well is a tribute to the music of Barber, who is being reappraised as one of America's finest composers.
Barber's vocal works always have occupied a prominent position in his output. He seems to have found song a particularly effective means of self-expression. His choice of texts ranges from 8th century Irish lyrics to poetry by James Joyce and Robert Graves. The music is rich and melodic, with a haunting sadness.
These performances are outstanding. Soprano Cheryl Studer sounds serious and avoids operatic grandness. Baritone Thomas Hampson (who appears at Hampton University's Ogden Hall on April 25) uses his attractive voice in a highly expressive manner. Adding to the pleasure is pianist and longtime Barber advocate John Browning. The Emerson String Quartet joins Hampson in a moving reading of Barber's setting of Matthew Arnold's ``Dover Beach.''
Ruth Ann Swenson, ``Positively Golden'' (EMI Classics) - This young American soprano's debut disc is filled with lovely singing. Swenson is up to the challenge contained in these eight excerpts from the bel-canto repertoire. Her excellent technique enables her to execute trills, runs and embellishments while easily negotiating the long lines of arias by Bellini, Donizetti, Gounod and Meyerbeer.
If anything is lacking, it is that last bit of fervor and excitement that would lift these performances to the highest level. Swenson achieves this intermittently. Nicola Resigno, conductor of many Maria Callas recitals, and the London Philharmonic offer exemplary support.
Franz Lehar, ``The Merry Widow'' (EMI Classics) - This live recording of Lehar's perennial operetta captures the vitality and high spirits that have made it popular for nearly a century. Taped at London's Royal Festival Hall in July 1993, it enjoys a superior orchestral contribution by the London Philharmonic and conductor Franz Welser-Moest, who extracts beautifully lush sounds from the familiar score.
The singers are less consistently effective, and none seems in his or her best voice. Thomas Hampson is a dashing Count Danilo, with a smooth, handsome baritone. As the heroine, Felicity Lott opens stridently but warms up to give a poised, glamorous performance. In Act II, tenor John Aler robs one of Lehar's most gorgeous melodies of its thrilling conclusion.
Most annoying is the narration, written by Tom Stoppard and read by Dirk Bogarde. The introduction of an extraneous speaking voice detracts from the singers. EMI is said to be preparing a Bogarde-free version that will feature only the music. Better to wait for that. MEMO: To hear excerpts from these recordings, call INFOLINE at 640-5555 and
enter category 6275. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Samuel Barber is being reappraised as one of America's finest
composers.
by CNB