Customer Reviews

Amy Beach: Chanson D'Amour

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Emma Kirkby, who to my knowledge has rarely if ever recorded much after the death of Mozart, is heard here in an album of art songs by the American composer Amy Beach. Even though it is not her usual style, she is surprisingly musical and expressive in the Romantic repertoire. I offer this album to anyone who has suggested that Ms. Kirkby's singing is expressionless. She proves here that she is more than just flawless technique. Her approach is much different than other sopranos in this repertoire, but she shows amazing emotional and dynamic range. Some of her quiet high notes are quite beautiful, and when she gets louder she sounds much fuller than I would expect. While her almost vibrato-less singing (she does have a bit more than usual on this album) may not be everyone's cup of tea, I would urge anyone to listen to this album for an interesting and unique take on this type of music.

I'm a big fan of Emma Kirkby's "usual" early music repertoire, and bought this after listening to the samples. It really is quite beautiful and incredibly dramatic.

I don't really understand the criticisms of other reviewers - yes, she sings it differently to how most singers do, but I really prefer it her way - her voice is pure and vibrant, and it's not so over-stated as with other recordings of Beach.

In short, I love it. Buy it and as long as you're prepared for her to do it her way, you'll love it.

Like everybody else, I only know Emma Kirkby from her early music recordings for which she has become pretty much THE soprano of that genre. To hear her handle romantic repetoire with such elegance is quite an unexpected surprise. The quality of the voice is not of the florid type we associate with the romantic period at all. At times it reminds one of a choir boy, which is not surprising considering her background but it is her technique in these songs that is the real revelation. As most listeners might know, early music is usually sung without vibrato (although not all singers follow this convention) and perhaps this is why Miss Kirkby is able to use vibrato with such finesse and nuance. The dynamic range in early music is also very restricted in comparison with later music and again Miss Kirkby's dynamics are superb. Her pianissimi seem to float on air. Again I am reminded of the pure sound of a choir boy floating through a cathedral. Splendid, and it was nice to find a disc devoted to Mrs. H.H.A. Beach's music (as she chose to call herself).

For the fundamental value of having a CD of Amy Beach solo vocal and chamber pieces, this is an excellent purchase. The instrumentalists are excellent musicians who offer beauty and clarity to the individual lines. Emma Kirkby is, however, a huge disappointment. Her voice is hardly suited to any type of music (an early music specialist that would gain hugely from a little coaching from Barbara Bonney for technique). In these pieces, her small, strident voice is remarkably mismatched. It is amazing that producers would consider her for such pieces. Her only redeeming moments are found in the final three pieces. Despite the soprano, this is a valuable CD.

After reading the rather rude review of this CD, I was ready to rush to Emma Kirkby's defence, but I thought maybe I should listen to it first before passing judgement. Unfortunately I must conclude that this isn't a good CD for fans of Kirkby or Beach. Emma Kirkby's repertoire covers a huge section of musical history from the 12th to the 18th century, but this is the first recording I have ever heard where she sings later music. So many fans and critics have suggested that she sing something more modern, and it would appear that this is her answer to them. The earlier virtues of clarity and control counted for little with the romantics, and her voice seems so out of place here. Listen to her singing Bach, Dowland, Monteverdi, De Machaut or Handel, but don't listen to this CD. But everyone makes mistakes sometimes - even the Eagles had the Long Run.