- Composer: Charles Gounod, Francisco de la Torre, Franz Schubert, Henry Purcell, John Dowland, et al.
- Audio CD (20 Oct 2003)
- Number of Discs: 1
- Label: Virgin Classics
- ASIN: B0000AC8MR
- Other Editions: MP3 Download
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 299,823 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
David Daniels' countertenor voice is the wonder of our age. He has made many Handelian opera seria roles his own, both on the stage and on CD; he has already produced one 'crossover' CD of Beethoven, Schubert and Poulenc; and he has given us unrivalled interpretations of Handel opera and oratorio arias, together with Mozart and Gluck. In short there is little he has not already accomplished, and here he pushes back the traditional boundaries of the countertenor voice once more.
Together with young Australian guitarist Craig Ogden, Daniels takes us through 16th century English Lute songs, Renaissance Spain, Bellini, Gounod's Ave Maria through Bernstein's 'A Simple Song' to Shenandoah and John Kander's 'A Quiet Thing' - the title song.
Throughout, Daniels' sensitive and impressive interpretation makes us forget the countertenor 'thing', and let us focus on the meaning of the words and emotions.
This is an impressive recording of unusual items and Virgin are to be congratulated for their policy of letting Daniels share with us his honey-toned and emotional voice, in programmes of his devising.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I hadn't heard this singer before but what a glorious voice he has. The guitar playing was also incredibly subtle and sympathetic and married well with the voice. This is a lovely CD, a delightful mixture of varying music styles rendered by a singer at the top of his form and a guitar player of great sensitivity as well as incredible technical virtuosity from both musicians. Lindybird
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
10 reviews
9 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Stunningly beautiful musical journey
29 Aug 2003
Format:Audio CD
I know, I know--you can't stand the countertenor voice, it's "weird," "creepy," "unnerving." I can't promise to change anyone's mind; this voice is an acquired taste. But oh, the glories if you acquire it!
Daniels's tone, shadings, and breath control are pure beauty. The Renaissance songs, such as Dowland's "Come Again Sweet Love," we expect to be great, because Dowland wrote with this voice in mind. But even in the contemporary songs such as "A Quiet Thing," Daniels is a revelation. And in what has become his signature song, "Blackberry Winter," he is heartbreaking; the colors of his voice, the emotion, especially in the repeat of the line, "And I get so lonely," make one cry.
Listen to this CD to understand why the countertenor voice has been so revered and exalted for hundreds of years. Not since the days of Russell Oberlin have I encountered such a moving, almost unbearably beautiful recording.
Daniels's tone, shadings, and breath control are pure beauty. The Renaissance songs, such as Dowland's "Come Again Sweet Love," we expect to be great, because Dowland wrote with this voice in mind. But even in the contemporary songs such as "A Quiet Thing," Daniels is a revelation. And in what has become his signature song, "Blackberry Winter," he is heartbreaking; the colors of his voice, the emotion, especially in the repeat of the line, "And I get so lonely," make one cry.
Listen to this CD to understand why the countertenor voice has been so revered and exalted for hundreds of years. Not since the days of Russell Oberlin have I encountered such a moving, almost unbearably beautiful recording.
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Reveries
4 April 2004
Format:Audio CD
A QUIET THING: Songs for Voice and Guitar is a unique, idiosyncratic, irresistible collection of songs that span from contemporary melodies from Broadway to English lute songs to versions of Ave Maria (Bach/Gounod and Schubert) to American folksongs. And as if this variety of communication weren't enough, these songs are performed by countertenor par excellence David Daniels and the subtle and sensitive guitarist Craig Ogden. Both performers are intensely musical, intuitive interpreters of poetry and melody line and offer popular ballads from the stage of today with as much sincerity as bel canto songs of Bellini and the other-worldly Dowland and Purcell. For those unfamiliar with the countertenor oeuvre then this is a beautiful introduction to that vocal quality. David Daniels is internationally celebrated for his resurrecting the original countertenor roles in Handel operas and his voice has more power on the opera stage in this unfamiliar vocal range than those many regular tenors. Not being a fan of crossover recordings (big opera stars singing Broadway show tunes) I admittedly approached this album with reservation. But listening to these two men changes all that. Here in this aptly titled collection Daniels proves that his soft and quiet range is just as admirable as his 'big role arias'. The collaboration between Daniels and Ogden is clear and pitch perfect and the result is a recital - no, salon - of intimately communicated moments. An album to treasure.
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Buy this CD
13 Aug 2003
Format:Audio CD
Unless you simply don't like the counter-tenor voice, you are bound to love this CD. Mr. Daniels has selected some pieces that are perfect for this voice type. I especially enjoy the all-too-rare combination of classical voice and guitar. "A Quiet Thing" joins "Pleasure of their Company" (Battle/Parkening) and "Wayfaring Stranger" (Mentzer/Isbin) as a classic of this genre. In fact, this disc shares two or three selections with the Battle/Parkening one.
Last year I heard Mr. Daniels in recital and was left spellbound by his rendition of Alec Wilder's "Blackberry Winter." When I saw that it was included on his new disc, I knew I had to own it. Given the cost of CD's, it is difficult to say that a single band is worth the cost of the CD, but I would say it is true here. Fortunately, there is a lot to enjoy here. I especially liked the English-language numbers such as the title song, Arlen's "My Shining Hour," and the rarely heard "A Simple Song" from the Bernstein "Mass." As the title of the CD suggests, this is a perfect recording to accompany one's mellow moments.
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