Andreas Scholl - Heroes / Norrington

George Frideric Handel (Artist), Johann Adolf Hasse (Artist), Christoph Willibald Gluck (Artist), Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Artist), Roger Norrington (Artist), Andreas Scholl (Artist), Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 11, 1999)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Decca
• ASIN: B00000IX7A
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #183,201 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The gods of musical commerce are smiling on hot young countertenor Andreas Scholl: this is his second CD of opera arias to appear in less than a month. The previous disc, a selection of Handel arias on Harmonia Mundi, showcased Scholl's considerable strengths: subtle and sensitive phrasing, deft coloratura, and a pure, rounded tone with little of the disembodied hootiness that used to be accepted from countertenors. His first recital disc for Decca gives us a wider range of music (Hasse, Gluck, and Mozart as well as Handel) and a more complete representation of Scholl's singing--vices as well as virtues. Among the former are his top notes (sometimes squealy or poorly tuned) and a Joan Sutherland-like combination of beautiful sound with indistinct diction and lack of temperament. This is particularly damaging in the laments from Rodelinda and Giulio Cesare, which come across as mere pleasant pastorales; the famous "Che farò?" from Gluck's Orfeo ed Euridice sounds self-satisfied rather than bereft. (To be fair, Roger Norrington's jaunty tempos deserve much of the blame for this.) Scholl also aspirates his coloratura, which will bother some listeners more than others. On the other hand, "Oh, Lord, whose mercies numberless" from Handel's Saul is radiant, and the two arias from early Mozart operas are thrilling. In the end, the disc gives a fair, well-rounded picture of an important young singer. Speaking of pictures, by the way, Decca's photographer deserves plaudits for making this tall, somewhat gawky German with Nana Mouskouri glasses look almost glamorous. --Matthew Westphal

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Mezzo Converted, September 2, 2001

By 

S. K. Tyler "Sarah" (London) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Andreas Scholl - Heroes / Norrington (Audio CD)

As a mezzo who loves singing the Mozart and Gluck trouser repertoire I am naturally suspicious of counter tenors, but after many playings of this wonderful recital of arias, every one of which I covert for myself, I finally admit to loving this wonderful counter tenor in the shape of Andreas Scholl. I discovered this disc after hearing Venga Pur, Minacci e Frema played on Classic FM. Determined to include this aria in a recital as soon as possible I quickly tracked down the recording, as well as a very expensive Barenreiter score of Mitridate - worth every penny! However, many more treats were in store. Every aria on this CD is sung with elegance, refinement, brilliance, and the most staggeringly impressive technique. My only slight reservation is Che Faro - but again, this may well be pure prejudice since I have just sung that wonderful role and consider it my own (and maybe Janet Baker's!). Whatever your position on the counter tenor voice, you must hear this recording, and if you love Mozart, Handel and Gluck, it is required listening.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars What would this world be without countertenors?, December 10, 2002

By 

"patricia_leung" (Toronto, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Andreas Scholl - Heroes / Norrington (Audio CD)

I met my first countertenor a few years ago and I had the priviledge of singing beside him in our choir. The incredible purity of the countertenor voice is something that I, as a Baroque music lover, can only dream of achieving. I think that Andreas Scholl is one of the most incredible countertenors today. The purity of his sound and the passion of his performances speaks to me in ways that only music can. I own several of his albums, and this is my favorite. Nothing is quite incredible as in 'Pallido Il Sole' when he dips into his natural baritone register for a few notes and comes back up again. There is something mystical and beautiful about male altos and we, as the female counterparts, should try to emulate.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely mezmerizing......, January 8, 2000

By 

Daniel W. Muir (Joliet, Illinois United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Andreas Scholl - Heroes / Norrington (Audio CD)

That's how I would describe Scholl's voice, absolutely mezmerizing. I cannot stop listening to this CD. This is a voice that melts the stress away. One part I particularly enjoy is nearly 3 1/2 minutes into track 10, Artabano, where Scholl's falsetto dips into a baritone. It makes me wonder where he'd be if he stayed there. Would we hear any more from him? Best to not mess with what works. In my mind there are no "worst arias" on here. As far as "Where'er you Walk" goes, I liken that to the countertenor renditions I've heard of Thomas Morley's "It Was A Lover And His Lass". Granted, it lacks passion, but is there any call for passion? Having never heard a tenor tackle "Where'er you Walk", I'd be hard pressed into changing my way of thinking that anyone other than Scholl could quite put across the beauty that I observed. Scholl's artistry is superb!