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Mehta's singing is so heart-stoppingly beautiful and musically perceptive that you wish he had recorded whole cycles rather than just representative songs...There is so much more for Mehta to explore on future discs. --Andrew Clements, the guardian .co.uk
The American Bejun Mehta, particularly well known for the more predictable Baroque countertenor repertoire, now steps elegantly into the field of early-ish 20th-century English song. These 23 tracks, intelligently chosen and not all familiar, include Herbert Howells, Gerald Finzi, Peter Warlock and Vaughan Williams, with Purcell arrangements by Tippett and Britten. Mehta's gift for mood and atmosphere is heard in the light beauty of Quilter's "It was a lover and his lass", the sweet melancholy of Gurney's "Down by the Salley Gardens" or the veiled mystery of Lennox Berkeley's "The Horseman". Pianist Julius Drake provides customary alert, expressive accompaniment. --The Observer, September 2011
Mehta intones Hardy s peerless verse with a poise and restraint as near to perfection as you can get. Julius Drake s playing is unfailingly sensitive and beautifully measured, exploiting every nuance in these ingeniously crafted piano accompaniments; his trotting horse-hooves for Lennox Berkeley s evocative setting of The Horseman have a particularly vivid impact. --The Classical Review, September 2011
The American Bejun Mehta, particularly well known for the more predictable Baroque countertenor repertoire, now steps elegantly into the field of early-ish 20th-century English song. These 23 tracks, intelligently chosen and not all familiar, include Herbert Howells, Gerald Finzi, Peter Warlock and Vaughan Williams, with Purcell arrangements by Tippett and Britten. Mehta's gift for mood and atmosphere is heard in the light beauty of Quilter's "It was a lover and his lass", the sweet melancholy of Gurney's "Down by the Salley Gardens" or the veiled mystery of Lennox Berkeley's "The Horseman". Pianist Julius Drake provides customary alert, expressive accompaniment. --The Observer, September 2011
Mehta intones Hardy s peerless verse with a poise and restraint as near to perfection as you can get. Julius Drake s playing is unfailingly sensitive and beautifully measured, exploiting every nuance in these ingeniously crafted piano accompaniments; his trotting horse-hooves for Lennox Berkeley s evocative setting of The Horseman have a particularly vivid impact. --The Classical Review, September 2011
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Bejun Mehta in New Territory
27 Dec 2011
Format:Audio CD
Bejun Mehta is considered by many to be on of the finest Countertenors of the day, and while he is most frequently heard on recital stage and in operas in the Baroque repertoire, this recording demonstrates that he is equally comfortable in the songs of the 20th century. The songs are English folk songs by some very famous composers an while there may be other recordings of these works by other singers (including Bryn Terfel, Simon Keenlyside, etc) Mehta is one of the few countertenors to approach this repertoire - and he is successful.
There are a few flaws with the songs selected with great sensitivity. Mehta has excellent vocal control and his delivery is forthright and sharply focused, but it does not always suit the subtlety and studied restraint of much of this repertory. He tends to be heavy on the drama and at times the climaxes and excesses bury the simplicity of some of the smaller songs.
The songs included in this collection are as follows:
Lennox. BERKELEY The Horseman
Gerald FINZI At Middle-Field Gate in February; The Sigh; Since We Loved
Ivor GURNEY Down by the Salley Gardens
Victor HELY-HUTCHINSON Set in the Manner of Handel
Herbert HOWELLS King David; The Widow Bird; The Little Boy Lost
Henry PURCELL/Benjamin BRITTEN Lord, What is Man?; Job's Curse
Henry PURCELL/Michael TIPPETT Music for a While
Roger QUILTER It was a lover and his lass; Come away, death; O mistress Mine; Blow, blow, thou winter wind; Take, o take those lips away; Hey, ho, the wind and the rain
Charles Villiers STANFORD La Belle Dame Sans Merci
Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS Silent Noon; Linden Lea; Bright is the Ring of Words
Peter WARLOCK Jillian of Berry
Pianist Julius Drake is Mehta's supportive collaborator and offers some brilliant phrasing and musicality to the concert. Mehta's diction is perfection allowing us to understand every word of these wonderful songs, a factor that brings the poetry to the foreground like few other singers of this genre can match. In all this is a beautiful recital by a gifted singer and pianist. It deserves attention> Grady Harp, Decemeber11
There are a few flaws with the songs selected with great sensitivity. Mehta has excellent vocal control and his delivery is forthright and sharply focused, but it does not always suit the subtlety and studied restraint of much of this repertory. He tends to be heavy on the drama and at times the climaxes and excesses bury the simplicity of some of the smaller songs.
The songs included in this collection are as follows:
Lennox. BERKELEY The Horseman
Gerald FINZI At Middle-Field Gate in February; The Sigh; Since We Loved
Ivor GURNEY Down by the Salley Gardens
Victor HELY-HUTCHINSON Set in the Manner of Handel
Herbert HOWELLS King David; The Widow Bird; The Little Boy Lost
Henry PURCELL/Benjamin BRITTEN Lord, What is Man?; Job's Curse
Henry PURCELL/Michael TIPPETT Music for a While
Roger QUILTER It was a lover and his lass; Come away, death; O mistress Mine; Blow, blow, thou winter wind; Take, o take those lips away; Hey, ho, the wind and the rain
Charles Villiers STANFORD La Belle Dame Sans Merci
Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS Silent Noon; Linden Lea; Bright is the Ring of Words
Peter WARLOCK Jillian of Berry
Pianist Julius Drake is Mehta's supportive collaborator and offers some brilliant phrasing and musicality to the concert. Mehta's diction is perfection allowing us to understand every word of these wonderful songs, a factor that brings the poetry to the foreground like few other singers of this genre can match. In all this is a beautiful recital by a gifted singer and pianist. It deserves attention> Grady Harp, Decemeber11
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